HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2175, 17 June 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY. The Hou«e met at 2.30 p.m. .Replying to question*, it was stated that the Government considered ie objectionable to issue circulars to the registration offices telling them how to interpret the law, relating to the registi ation of rlcctors ; That a bill would bo brought in dealing with the seal fi«hery question; that on Dr. Hector's return from Rotorua he would be consulted as to whether it was advisable to gain any further scientific assistance to report on the recent \olcamc disturbance; that step* wero being taken for better distinguixhing penny and shilling postage stamps ; that Government hoped to make a statement on Thursday as to the intention 'with tegard to the Representation Bill ; that the Nativt Lands Disposition Bi'4 of last session had been circulated amongst the natives during the recess ; that the Public Works Statement could not be delivered till next week. Mr Ballance moved that a Select Committee, consisting of ten members be appointed to consider tho question of a Bill to provide for an investigation into tho native title to the land known as Owahaho and Kawanawa Optiata, and the petition of Mr Fpnton referring to the said Bill. Mr Ormond said it was unfair to Mr Fenton that the Premier's memo to the Bill was circulated before Mr Fenton and others concerned were allowed an opportunity of replying to the charges made against them. Sir R. Stout said that his object in making the memorandum was not to attack any person, but to express an opinion that a re-hearing of the case should be granted. Major Atkinson also regretted that the memo had been published by the Premier. He thought it was a bad precedent to establish to make such a statement before the accused parties had any chance of replying. Sir R. Stout said ho had received » telegram from Mr Michael Studholme, saying he had had nothing to do with the land for the last h've years. Mr Ballance said Sir R. Stout's memo, was published solely for the guidance of the House, and to show that certain native* were entitled to a re-hearing of the case. The motion for a committee was agreed to. Sir J. Vogel moved tho second reading of the Parcel Post Bill, explaining that it was a similar measure to that introduced last year, but not passed through the House. Agreed to. Sir J. Vogol mored the second reading of the Local Bodies Loans Bill. He explained that the Bill, to some extent, consolidated tho existing law relating to loans for local bodies. The Bill, he thought, would be very useful to local bodies, and he had so arranged it that local bodies could adopt the Bill in its entirety, merely with respect to one particular loan. Major Atkinson congratulated Sir J. Vogel on having at last found some way of relieving local bodies. He thought the Treasurer deserved the thanks of the House for introducing the bill. He thought, the bill on the whole would be a very useful one. Mr Seddon thought the bill would not suit tho smaller local bodies, but he thought it would be beneficial to older settled districts. Mr Ormond considered the bill was stereotyping the existing state of things. The bill would largely add to the existing burdens of local bodies without giving them any corresponding advantage. It was not carrying out the policy promised by the Government. Mr Suttou opposed tho bill Mr Moss objected to tho bill altogether. Mr Rolleston considered the provision for the erection of school buildings under the bill was the boldest thing that could well be conceived. Captain Russell also objected to the proposals for erecting school buildings proposed in the bill. He thought the wealthier districts would be benefited by the bill, while the outlying districts received little consideration. . j The motion for the second reading was agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. On the House resuming, Sir R. Stout gave notice that on Friday he would make a short statement on education, and asked to have the New Hebrides debate postponed to that evening, which was agreed to. Sir Julius Vogel moved the second reading of the Government Loans to Looal Bodies Bill, which was read a second time, j (Left sitting.)