PARLIAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 32, 9 December 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

Per our Special Wire. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Monday, Dec. 8. In the Council to-day, after the routine business, Colonel Whitmore gave notice to move that the Agent-General ought to he appointed for a limited term, fixable by Parliament. Mr. Whitakers General Harbor Act Amendment Bill was read a first time. The Native Affairs Committee reported on apetition re the Kinross case, that the Council ought to allow its officers to appear as witnesses in any future trial, or itself institute proceedings against Mr. Kinross. The report was objected to by seven hon. members, who asserted that it condemned Mr. Kinross unheard. There was upon this a discussion lasting over an hoar, in which twelve members took part, after which the debate was adjourned on a division, by 22 votes to 10. The Council rose at a quarter to 5.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, Dec. 8. The House met at 7.30 p.m. THE AGENT-GENERAL. Mr. Hislop gave notice of a motion to the effect that it was incompatible with the office of Agent-General for the colony to take part in Imperial politics. THE .SPECIAL WIRES. In reply to Mr. M'Lean, Mr. Hall said that pending definite arrangements being made with certain newspapers in the special wire business, arrangements had been made for enabling these papers to obtain telegraphic information. REWI. Replying to a question by Mr. Kelly, Mr. Bryce said his attention had been directed to a letter which had appeared in a newspaper to the effect that Rewi had joined the King party. He did not believe there was any truth in the statement. A request had been received from him some time ago, that, as he was going to the King country, and had met with an accident, a carriage should be placed at his disposal. That request was complied with, and Government had no reason to believe he was in any way displeased with Government. The letter in question had been received by one of the Maori members, not from Rewi, but from a friend of his. The letter had been left in the member’s office and in that way it had been got hold of by the newspapers. Te Wheoro said that he was the member referred to. The letter stated that Rewi was displeased with the Government, and that he would not return to the European side, and that those chiefs who had been instrumental in turning off Grey from the Government must be left to carry on the Government of the country. These were the contents of the letters, but he did not know how they got into the newspapers.

SIR PENROSE JULY AX In reply to a question by Mr. Gishourne. Mr. Hall stated that Sir Penrose Julyan had retired from the Loan agencyship, on a petition, and there was no truth in the statement which appeared in the newspapers to the effect that a difference of opinion had’ arisen between him and the Government, such difference having occasioned the retiral. THE END APPROACHING. Replying to Mr. Macanclrew, Mr. Hall stated he would be prepared to state to-morrow what business was to be dropped, so as to bring the session to a close within the next few days. Mr. Macandrew suggested for the consideration of Government that business so dropped should be taken up next session —both public and private business, as it stood on the Order Paper. REVISION OP STATUTES. Mr. Hall moved the second reading of the Revision of Statutes Bill. Mr. Stewart called the attention of Government to the importance of making pecuniary provision for the publication of the “Jurist.” He pointed out that in the absence of such a publication there could be no uniformity of procedure in the various courts. The work could not he efficiently done by private enterprise. No one whose reports were at all trustworthy would undertake the work unless well paid, and in the present state of the colony the profits arising from such a publication would not be sufficient to warrant a suitable person undertaking the task. The Bill was read a second time. M*OKI PRISONERS RILL. The adjourned debate on the Confiscated Lands and Maori Prisoners Bill was resumed. Mr. Turnbull opposed the Bill, and spoke strongly against the Maori prisoners being kept in prison for such a length of time without being brought to trial. Major Te Wheoro also objected to the Bill, and stated if passed, the Maori prisoners might be kept in custody without being tried for years. They had been already in prison six months, and after all it might turn out they were in the right. He argued that they ou»ht to he brought to trial forthwith. ° Captain Norm supported the Bill. Tainui opposed it, and argued that the

I prisoners should be brought to trial at once. The charge should not be kept hanging over their heads in the way it hail been done. ■Mr. Sutton supported the Bill. Sir George Grey said the measure was calculated to shake the confidence of the i native race in the justice of our courts of law. Mr. J. B. Pisher contended that th e men now lying in prison had done no' thing to render them amenable to the criminal law, as they had simply asserted a fancied right. The Bill as it stood was not calculated to obviate the abuses complained of. He moved as an amendment that the Bill be read that day six months. Mr. Seddon supported the second reading, and expressed a hope that when it became law it would do jus Ue alike to all. Mr. Sheehan supported t.ie second reading. If they refused to pass the Bill, and allowed the natives to return to Parihaki, a native disturbance was imminent. Certain mistakes in the Bill could be remedied in Committee. He considered the policy enunciated in the Bill was the policy of the late Government, and one which was absolutely necessary if they desired to prevent a native war. Mr. Hislop opposed the Bill. Air. Bryce, replying, said it was the opinion of Government that it would be a most dangerous thing to relieve the prisoners under existing circumstances. The late Government had a similar opinion. A motion for the second reading was then put, and on a division was carried, Ayes, 37 ; noes, 12. The House then went into Committee on the Bill.