PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2505, 31 July 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(Bl - TKLKGRAI'H.— I'UESS ASSOCIATION'.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

MONDAY. The House met at.2.30 p.m. Hon Air Fergus introduced the Disorderly Houses Suppression Bill. Mr Pyke asked that further consideration of the Otago Central Bill bo postponed till to-morrow night, at 7.30, in order that proposals might be made which would probably meet with the unaminou-s support of the House. The Premier had no objection to the adjournment. A lengthy discussion followed, after which Sir H. Atkinsou said it had been represented to the Government that if the Bills were proceeded with stonewalling would be continued, whereas, if an adjournment were agreed to proposals would be submitted which would probably meet with the appioval of the House, lie hoped such a reasonable request would bo agreed to, so that the Government might proceed with some other business. The motion for reporting progress was then carried on the voices. The Slaughter-houses Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee, and passed with a slight amendment. The Fair Kent of Laid Bill was further considered in committee. Clause 21. Kent fixed on Commission deemed rent payable : Mr I'ercival moved that fixed rents should not be altered for three years from the date when the commission takes effect. Mr Peacock moved as an amendment that " three " be struck out and " five " substituted. Mr Percival's amendment was lost after a long discussion by 32 to 30. All- Peacuck's amendment was carried on the voices, and the remaining clauses passed with verbal amendments. A lengthy discussion ensued on a motion by Mr Carroll to exempt lands held by natives on the West Coast from the operation of the Bill, which was objected to by several members on the ground that natives should be put on the same footing as Europeans. The debate was Interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Premier said Mr Taipua had misunderstood the former Act. Mr Carroll asked that natives should be represented on the Commission appointed under the Bill, The Premier assured him the Bill should not apply to Native Lands after the Commission had fixed rents for the first period of live years. Mr Caroll then withdrew his amendment anil the clause passed. Mr Steward moved a series of clauses relative to partition orders wnich elicited a lengthy discussion. The opposition to them was principally on the ground that they really meant interference with education reserves, a question which the Hohso had already decided upon. The first clause was negatived by 37 to 12, and Mr Steward not press the others. The Rent Bill was reported with amendments, and Mr Hutchinson moved its recommittal in order to include under "public authorities " in Clause 3, " trustees and mortgagees." Sir G. Grey supported, demanding what principle of justice that could exclude I private lands from the operation of the Bill, and yet deal with lands of a few natives. Premier denied that the latter was private land. It was confiscated land in tho neighbourhood of Panhaka, which was returned to the natives under certain conditions. The Government merely wished before banding it back to fix rent at a reasonable rate. The amendment was lost on the voices. Mr Whyte regretted the Bill had passed in its present shape, and hoped it would be rejected in the Council, and the Minister of Lands would make some provision in another Bill for the relief of Crown tenants and deferred payment settlers, both of whom he knew to be in very great straits. The Bill was read a third time and passed. On the motion to read the Slaughter House Act Amendment Bill a third time Mr Marchant moved to recommit it for the purpose of striking out clause 3. Lost by 29 to 18. Mr Fitzherbert characterised the Bill as a most unfair measure brought in in the interest of two members of that House and by way ot a final protest he moved it be read a third time that day six months. Lost by 31 to 21 and the Bill was read 3 third time. ' fjJy Hon. Mr Fisher moved the second reading of the Industrial Schools Act: Amend' merit Bill, He explained that no additional burden was cast on the state, but merely a;, fresh allocation of existing liabilitiesiwas to be made. S. Mr Taylor took exception to this sturnout, as it really cast considerable'ex4^t expense on local bodies. The third clause' was a most explicit one on that point, ' Mr Goldie took the same view, and hoped the House would refuse to pass the Bill. Mr Jones said it lookedaharmless measure, on the face of it, but was really a very important Bill, for if it passed it would relieve ' the consolidated revenue of a very considerable charge, and place it on the backs of local bodies. He was afraid the Ministry kne.w very little about the effect of the Bill. Mr Seddon moved the adjournment of the debate which, after some discussion was agreed to. (Left Silting.)