HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1732, 11 August 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

YESTERDAY. The House met at 2.30. Major Atkinson announced the receipt nf a cable from Lord Derby that the Irish informers would return to England by the Pathan, and full explanation be sent by despatch shortly. Major Atkinson, in moving that the House on rising adjourn to half-past two on Monday for Government business, intimated that Government would propose to go on with the Estimates on Monday, and the Government saw no reason why all the necessary business should not be over by the end of the present month if members wished it. A large number of bills on the order paper might well stand over till next session. Major Atkinson moved that Mr Hurst be. discharged from the Dargaville Charges Committee, and that Mr Mason be substituted. Mr Seddon wished to move that Mr Swanson be substituted for Mr Mason, but leave was refused. Mr Bathgatc advocated the discharge of the committee altogether. Mr Montgomery expressed a strong desire to have his name taken off the committee. Mr Hutchison moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Sheehan appealed to all parties to drop the matter if Mr Dargaville would say he did not impute personal dishonour or corruption to the Treasurer or Premier. Mr Dargaville protested against the whole proceedings. He never intended to impute personal dishonour or personal corruption to either the Treasurer or Premier. The motion for adjournment was negatived on the voices, and the motion was similarly agreed to. Mr Hursthousc resumed the debate on the Native Land Laws Amendment Bill. He thought the Government should have presumed the pre-emptive right of the Crown. He denied that the judges consideied the presence of agents and lawyeis in the court an unmixed disadvantage. The complications arose from the complex nature of the transactions. He asked Government to explain the effect of the bill on native lauds in the South Island leased for mining purposes, but not passed through the court. That was of importance to the district. He thought the bill should not apply to the South Island. He would also support the amendment given notice of by Mr Stevens. More judges were required in the Native Land Court rather than the exclusion of lawyers. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. The debate on the Native Land Laws Bill was resumed by Sir George (^rey, who said that the bill would require several alterations if it were to' pass. He reviewed the land legislation, and claimed that when he was turned out of office he had prepared a bill perfect in its details. Major Te Wheoro approved of the principles of the bill, Mr Smith was in favour of the resumption of the Crown's pre-emptive right, and Mr Tomoana spoke against the resumption. " [The debate was proceeding when our last message was received.]