PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 3009, 9 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OCR SPECIAL [ GORRESPON-

DENT.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

OFFERS TO MR SHEEHAN,

For some time past rumours have. been afloat that the Government were making overtures to Mr Sheehan to accept the portfolio, of Native Minister, but nothing- definite transpired till the end of last week when the rumours began to obtain corroboration. It is understood that such offers were repeatedly made, Mr Bryco having, from inexperiensoand physical weakness,provedincapable of grappling with the immense labour and delicate business of this department, which involve a necessity for experience of natives, tact and patience. ; Mr Sheehan however is too loyal a partyman, and too unselfish to accept such an offer, unless imperative circumstances demanded such a sacrifice for the preservation of the peace of the country, and therefore, instead of taking advantage of his influence he has used it in every possible way to advise, assist, and guide Mr Bryce. Within the past day or two these offers have been renewed, but without acceptance ou Mr Sheehan'a part, though his patriotism has been Btrongly appealed to. In discussion on the Maori Prisoners Bill yesterday, Mr Sheehan expressed his intention of voting for second reading of the Maori Prisoners Bill, because if tho prisoners were allowed to return to Parihaka nothing would stop war. There is no necessity to provide for a Commission. As the law now stands a Commission could be appointed at any time. If the Supreme Court found it could not deal with the offence or only sentenced them to afew days'imprisonment, they would return to Parihaka, and Te Whitijwould claim the fulfilment of his prophecy that he had delivered the prisoners by supernatural means. If these prisoners now returned to Parihaka there would bc]a more disastrous war than the last one on tho West Coast. The whole couutry would be involved in it. Tho question, he said, was not one of party. He would fight with his party to obtuin power, but not on this question. Te Whiti could not be reasoned with. He (Mr Sheehan) belonged to the Opposition, and would vote with it, but would not be a party to making a football of the colony. If war began on the West Coast, the whole European population would rise en masse, and the native race be exterminated. If any Commission were appointed Maoris should be fairly represented on it. (Cheers.) .He could support second reading. (Cheers.) Mr Lundon referred to the seriousness of the question. He did not like to vote against the Government, because they had a great difficulty to meet, or for keeping natives in prison, because many of them were probably innocent. He considered the Europeans more exposed than they weie twenty years ago, because they wero scattered all over the North Island, and could not be so easily defendod. If the question came to division ho would probably walk out.

Mr To Wheoro thought he might shew a mode by which the prisoners could bo dealt with instead of remaining in prison, but when tho bill was in committee he would commont on the points not clear to hinv Mr Bryco concurred with Mr Sheehan that in the existing fanaticism on the West Coast it would bo a most dangerous thing to release the prisoners, though no legal evidence could be produced. He defended the appointment of a Commission as necessary to clear up tho question of unfulfilled promises. He twitted Mr Stewart in reference to Magna Charta and Habeas Corpus, and said the latter might be a curse to the country when circumstances imperatively required that legal technicality should be ignored. It was not the intention of tho bill to inquire into the validity of confiscation, but of unfulfilled promises. He denied that Te Whiti's people had occupied tho land in order to test the validity of tho occupation, but they desire to avoid legal investigation. Their object was to strengthen To Whiti's prophet influence. This was proved by their occupation of land never confiscated. Some of tho natives might have committed offences elsewhere, and would require to be tried iv a different manner.

Tho second reading was carried by 57 to 12.

PARNELL STATION.

Mr Moss has had several interviews with the Government and Mr Lawson with a view of getting a railway station erected just at tho entrance to the Domain near tb<3 mouth of tho tunnel, and the Government will probably accede to the request as soon as the railway station is removed to the wharf. The engineer is not in favour of the main trains stopping there, but proposes to have alight train to run between Auckland and Parnell station, and Parnell station and Newmarket. In Sutton's case the Nativo Affairs Committee report that they have no recommendation to make. Sir George Grey proposed a series of resolutions embodying the main points of the case as disclosed in evidence which the committee are now discussing. YOUNG NEW ZEALAND PARTY. The young New Zealand party held a meeting aud discussed further action to bo ■taken respecting the Property Tax Bills. EXAMINATION OF WORGAN. Worgan was again under examination before the Native Affairs Committee to-day in Mr Sutton's case. There was a very warm discussion between members representing rival interests on tho Committee, but no decision was arrived at, though tho evidence was finally closed. Resolutions were drafted, which will be submitted to tho Committee to-day, but very much depends on the character of the attendance ns to the nature of tho report presented. If a majority of Sutton's friends, predominate tho report may bo tamo and impotent, and vice versa. THE FIVE MILLION LOAN. The "Post," referring to advices respecting the floating of the loan, says from the tenor of tho Agent-General's advice it is believed that tho new loan will bo placed at an average prico of very nearly par. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. Sinco the news of tho loan Ministers have been re-modelling the Public Works Statement, and it is expected to be finished tonight ready for delivory to-night. It is understood that tho Wellington-Foxton railway will be amongst the first works provided for as soon as any funds are available. MR DEMPSEY'S PETITION. The Petitions' Committee havo not yet arrived at any decision in Mr Dempsey's case, as Mr Blackctt remains to bo examined. Mr Tolc presented a petition from the licensed victuallers of Aucklaud praying that the House will not further increase the duties on spirits. RAILWAY TO WAIUKU. Mr Hamlin gave notice to ask tho Government whether they will survey alive of railway to Waiuku. ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT IN AUCKLAND GAOL. In the petition of Neil Beaton, the petitioner alleged that he is incapacitated from performing heavy work by reason of harsh aud unjust treatment while undergoing sentence iv Auckland Gaol, and prays con- ' sidcratiou. The committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for inquiry and consideration.

OTHER AUCKLAND PETITIONS. In the petition of Henry Oldham and W. Do Benzie Turner, the petitioners alleged they suffered considerable loss ill consequence of being called away to servo in the Waikato war iv 1563, aud pray compensation. The committee jure of opinion that a colony is not liable for contingent loss occasioned by native disturbances, and cannot ■ recommend petitioners' claim. In the petition of T. B. Hannaford, petitioner set forth that he broke his leg while serving as a private in the 2nd class militia in Auckland in 186 S. (The committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim against tho colouy for compensation. In the petition of Oakey and others, of Waikato, the petitioners pray that allotments in the township of Whatawhata be opened for sale, and that various public works may be constructed in the district. The committee are of opiuiou that tho petition bo referred to the Government for consideration.

In tho petition of Duncan McKonzie aud others of Waipu, tho petitioners pray, that the Government will employ an engineer to survey the Waipu ltiver. The Cominitmittco aro of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for cousideration. :

In tho petition of Johu Cleverley, the petitioner alleges that he has been dismissed from the position of sub-manager of the Naval Training Ship at Auckland and prays for redress. The Committee are of opinion that petitioner should have complained in the iirst instance to the Government through his superior officer, so that tho complaint might havo been accompanied by any explanation which the other might have thought lit to make. Thu Committee are further of opinion that the school ought to be placed under local inspection similar to that which has all along vested in eonneefrion with tho Otngo Reformatory and Industrial School, and that the Government

be recommended to take the necessary action in the matter, and also to institute a thorough investigation into the working of tho school. BILLS TO BE CARRIED. The Government will insist on carrying the following bills :—Customs Tariff ProEerty Assessment, Special Powers and ontracts, Land Tax Collection, Building Societies Amendment, and Debtor and. Creditors' Amendmentr LOCAL GOVERNMENT. . In the House last evening Mr Pyke gave notice that the existing syßtem of Local Government is unsatisfactory as it limits too greatly the power of local governing Bodies. The existing system is inequitable, as it imposes upon the local bodies the entire burden of local power, public works and does not provide adequate means to carry out such (works, and that it is the duty of the Government to amend the system and provide some more efficient system of Local Government. SIR JULIUS VOGEL. Mr Hislop gave notice that any person holding the position of Agent-General for the Colony, ought to be required to resign his position before going into the Imperial Parliament. VARIOUS NOTICES. Mr Adams gave notice to ask the Government whether they will give free passes on railways to fire brigades proceeding on business. Mr Shrimski gave notice to ask the Government whether they have heard of the claim of Thomas Russell to 60,000 or 80,000 in Te Aroha, and if so what course they intend to take. Mr Murray gave notice to move that the Property Assessment Bill be recommitted for the purpose of restoring a pre-emption to £300 instead of £500 in clause 12. TELEGRAPH HOURS.

Mr McLean asked the Government, without notice, whether they intend to make any arrangements whereby that portion of the press who have given up the special wire may be enabled to receive telegraphic news up to a late hour. Mr Hall replied :. " I received to-day a representation from the Press Agency, stating that in consequence of the abandonment of one special wire, which took effect from to-day, several newspapers will be practically precluded from receiving telegraphic news unless some special arrangements are made. I have not had time to go into the arrangements, but temporary arrangements have been made until further arrangements can be effected by which the office will be kept open until midnight, and they will also be open to the public.

THE RETIREMENT OF REWI. Mr Kelly asked without notice, whether the Governmenthas any official information respecting the chief Rewi having returned to Te Kuiti, and expressed his determination not to have any intercourse with the Government. He wished to know if there was any truth in the statement, as also about war. ".-"

Mr Bryce replied : I have no objection to tell the hon. gentleman and the House all I know about the matter. I heard some little time ago that Bewi did intend to proceed to To Kuiti, and that he was unwell. He met with an accident some little time ago through falling from his horse, and was scarcely able to ride there. He requested that the Government would supply him with a carriage to take him to the river in order that he might go up to Te Kuiti in a canoe. I provided a carriage for him. He arrived at the river and went up in a canoe. I had no intimation of any kind that he was displeased with the Government, and as a matter of fact from various circumstances Ido not believe that he was. However, I did see the matter in the newspaper to which the lion, gentleman referred, and a native member of this House, whose name was connected in the paragraph, came to my house this morning, and 1 asked him to give me any information on the matter. I said I did not wish him to give me any information he had rather not, but if he thought it to theinterest of the native people Tie might tell mo anything ho knew on the matter. Ho said he certainly received the letter which was referred to in the newspapers, but that he certainly would not have sent it to the newspaper, and he did not know whether it was correct or not. He said he placed the letter on the office table which native members occupy with the interpreter, and by some means or other the letter was made use of, but he did not supply it to the newspaper. I have reason to believe that Rewi is not so very much displeased with the Government. Of course I know nothing very definite of the matter, aud I can't tell what Kewi's mind may be.

Major Te Wheoro: I rise to say something with regard to the letter about Rewi. The letter is not from Rewi but someone who is living at Alexandra. I know the words contained in it. The letter stated that on the 4th of la3t month Rewi went away in a canoe from Alexandra to Te Kuiti. Manga said to Europeaus and natives living at Alexandra that it depended on wbattTawhiao uaid to him.

Mr Seddon asked tho Government whether there was any prospect of a Maori war.

Mr Biyce muttered something about newspaper people and correspondents resembling people before the flood, being not trustworthy, and said the Government were as anxious to avoid war with the natives as newspaper editors are.

IPER PRKSS AGENCY, J