BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMEET.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1550, 10 June 1882, Page 4

BILLS BEFORE PA RLIA MEET.

The West Coast Peace Perservation Act, 1882 (Hon Mrßrycc).— This bill is intituled an A.ct to make provision for the Piescrwition of the Peace of the West Coast District of the North Island. The picamblc lecites that Te Whiti and Tolm aye now confined in gaol awaiting trial for sedition, and that, prior to their arrest, they hold meetings of aboriginal natives at Parihaka, at which they " held language calculated to piomotc disaffection, and which, on seveial occasions, led to breaches of the law." Mention is made of the dispersion of the tribes to their own proper lesidences, and that it is not now deemed necessary to try Te Whiti and Tolm with a view to the infliction of punishment ; but if they were liberated, and permitted to return to Parihaka, it is feared that ' Maoris would again assemble there, causing apprehension and distrust among the peaceable inhabitants of both races, and involve danger to the peace of the colony. It is therefore provided that Te Whiti and Tohu shall not be tried for the offence for which they are now charged. Further, that it shall be lawful for the Governor-in-Covincil to issue instructions —(I.) To keep the said Te Whiti and Tohu, or either of them in custody in such place as the Governor thinks fit. (2.) To release or discharge them, or either of them, unconditionally. (3) To release or discharge them, or either of them, subject to such terms and conditions as the Governor thinks fit to impose. (4.) After any such release or discharge, whether unconditionally or on conditions, to again arrest them or either of then), and to keep them or either of them, in custody as aforesaid. The piisoners are not to be bailed, liberated, or discharged from custody without an order from the Govornor-in-Conncil, under a penalty on the person offending not exceeding £500. It is further provided that if any Maoris exceeding fifty in number assemble in public, and it shall apper to any Justice of the Peace that that the proceedings at such meeting are calculated to create disaffection towards the Government or disturbance of the public peace, he may cause proclamation in the Maori language commanding the Maoris so assembled to'disperse ; and disregard of such command by the Maoris, or any ten or more of them, will be deemed an offence, and the offenders will be liable to arrest and summary punishment in fines not exceeding £50, or imprisonment with I hard labor not exceeding twelve months, or to find sureties for peaceful behaviour for a similar term. It is provided that the act shall only remain in operation until the end of the next' session of the General Assembly, and shall apply only to the district thus described :—": — " Commencing at the tunnel ac Parininihi, or the White Cliffs, and thence by a line running due East, 20 miles ; thence by a line limning in a south-westerly direction to the Ngaire Swanip '; thence by a line known as the ' Confiscated Line ' to the point where it strikes the Waitotara river, and by that river to the sea; and thence by the sea to the commencing point." The Indemnity Act, 1882 (Hon. Mr Bryce).— The preamble of the proposed measure refers to the assembly of Aboriginal' Natives at Parilcaka, the undue excitement, breaches of the lawj , and disturbauoe of, the public f peawj, , and the, repressive measures adopted ' by the Government, "some of which' measures may have been in excess of legal powers." It is therefore provided that every • person 1 who, before the ; passing of the act* shall have | acted under the authority of the, Government in preserving" 'peace 'or' good order, or in resisting, apprehending,' imprisoning,' or committing to prison any person — "(1.) Destroying or damaging property, real or personal ; (2.) Committing any of the offences specified jn the West- Coa/st Settlement (sTortb Island) Act, 1880 ; (3.) Assembling or holding r meetings at Parihaka,, rin, jtne Provincial District of Taranaki j (4.) Attending any .'such meeting, an 4 refusing \qr'tneglepting to dispense, p,r depart th j ej:ej^p i m,^,iie J n",d.i-d rected or required s.o_to do by any person ,octing under,, the aufcjjprity, of- the:f3o'-j ' vernment of lifew Zealand • £5.') Making 1 use of seditious or'threatejning language ; and any person who, shall^ have jdapiaged " or/destroy/id, any, real" .br.^erflohaj ,W it perty, or searched for, "seized, or Ja&en 1 possession, of ,an Kil arms,, or under, or by virtue of suclt authority w jm^ aforesaid, shall be ajijLJS l>ere)>y /freed', suits, complaints, informations/^ ind^igpr,; ceedinb.W^haJsbever.' 5 ; ,Tp ,%> prevent-; ttouOT, ■ w Qoveraoy my* ty?mwans

under his hand, declare any act, matter, or thing done as coining within the provisions of the act. The' Small Birds Nuisance Act, 1882 (Mi- Steward).— This Bill provides for the! abatement of injury caused to crops by pie undue increase of sparrows and ptlier birds and animals, such definitions respectively meaning any birds or animals' not for the time being coming within the operation of any act in force relating to the protection of animals. It is {provided that any County .Council, Road Board, Borough Council, or Town District Board, notwithstanding anything in any other act contained, may, by an ordinary resolution, apply so much as it shall think fit out of its gezieral funds toward the destruction of any kind or kinds of birds or animals which, by their excessive increase have, or threatened to become injurious to crops of any kind. Provision is made that the amount applied to such purpose in any one year shall not exceed -three halfpence in the pound on the rateable value of property in that portion of a riding or country to which it is proposed to limit the expenditure ; or to one halfpenny in the pound if the rate and expenditure is to be general over an entire county or borough, or to one penny in the pound on the ratable value of any town district. Moneys thus raised may be spent as may be deemed most expedient, but no special rate of the kind shall be raised without the consent of ratepayers expressed by petition, signed by not fewer than one-third of the total number of resident ratepayers within the district over which it is desired that such rate shall be levied.