PARLIAMENTARY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2800, 21 August 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE 0? REPRESENTATIVES.

August 18. The following Bills were introduced, and read a first time :—Land for Settlements Act Amendment, Teachers' Superannuation, Wine Adulteration, Referendum, and Hntt Road (Mr Seddon', Mixed Clothe (Mr Mills) Electoral Aot Amendment, Regulation of Local Elections Amendment, and Produce Exports (Sir J. G. Ward), Native Laflß Rating (Mr Carroll), and Fertiliser Bill (Mr Duncan.

The Native Affaiie Committee reported that it had no recommendation to make on the petition of the Jrouth Island Maoffc againet the gazetting of Mahuta as " king." M. Para , a said the Maoris of both islands had decided to appeal agahut the application of the title of king by Mahuta. A great deal of adverse ctiticism of Ma* hutii'e appointn cut to the Legislative Council ensued, numbers eayiDg he did not oarry out his duties, and was now gone home. The Premier said Mahuta had gone home on account of his daughter's serious illness and the breaking up of the Legislative Coon* oil, and he objected to thokvity with which membars spoke of Mabuta'e abserce. TJjg ay poiatment) was in reality a boon to tiie Colony. Sir William Russell epened the Financial Debate. He spoke of the Budget ac being extraordinary, and said the Premier had been purposely vague on the preferential trade question snd the Bank (f New Zealand. He also asserted that Mr Seddon had misled the public as to the real state of the Colony's finances, and said the position of affairs was becoming eerious. The Coiony was over pledged, and during he next three years we were obliged to meet heavy debts, Mr Taylor moved as an amendment —That this House is of opinion that the interference of the Executive with the right of the police to eeek the enforcement of the licensing law in the Newtown electorate is and subversive of popular rlghte ar.d liberties.

After heated discussion, the amendment was lost, and the Financial Debate wee contic ued, Mr HerdmnD. Mr Herrics, aod the Hon. Hall Jones speaking. The debate war adjourned, August 19. Mr Parata presemed a pc ition frtm the Arawa tribe, protesting against being deecribed as a Maori king. The Mokau River Trust Board Bill (Mr JpDDiuge) fnd School Committees' Fund* Bill (Mr Buddo) were introduced and read 8v first time. After some further diecu<ssion, the Finan , cial Debate suddenly collapeed, and the Bouse went into Committee of Supply fop* the consideration of the fimimate*.