House of Representatives.

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

House of Representatives.

WELLINGTON, Monday. The Houso met at 7.30. QUESTIONS.

Mr Rolleston, iv reply to Mr Gisborne, said ample barrack accommodation was provided for all classes of immigrants arriving in the colenv. The Premier, in reply to Mr Gisborne, said it was not advisable to lay telegrams re loam. (on.the table at preseut. Their purport was the same as published. The Premier, in reply to Mr Fisher, said Sir Penrose Julyan's retirement as Crown agent for the colony was not consequent on any difference with New Zealand Government. Ho retired with a pension. The Premier, in reply to Mr Macandrew, said he would to-morrow say what measures would be proeeoded with this session. The Government is most anxious to get the session ended.—Mr Macandrew suggested that business not disposed of sliould be brought on in the same order next session. GOVERNMENT BILLS. The Laud Tax and Customs Duties Amendment Acts were read a third time. REVISION OF STATUTES. The Revision of Statutes Bill was read a second time. MAORI PRISONERS' TRIAL.

The Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Bills adjourned debate on second reading caused some discussion The object of the bill is to give power to try Maori prisoners whenever or wherever tnc Government think proper. Mr Sheehan spoke of the danger of releasing the Maoris without trial, and the tKu nee taking the powers songht in ♦w l;A rrV mppo-rted this Tiev. bating that if the House insisted upon the trial oi prisoners next month, according to the existing arrangement, ho should resign his office, as he would not undertake the respousibihty. It would be dangerous to release them now.

Sir George Grey opposed the bill. A division on tho second reading resuited: Ayca, 57 j Noes, 12. bilT. he HOU!C W6nt into committeo on the

TheComrmtteesat till two in themorn-fom-,-M^nfa+ C- andl' ew Proposed in clause XtU r« "atl- on a, s P*y«»ont of members ft SH 18810,1. 18 be not,«"'cu, and carried it against the, Government by 40 to 28 Sir George Grey wanted a member of the buithYr 0 iacluded iQ the Commission! anrlMvP etat?, eni ™«*tod the attempt aMlVlrEryce said that it would not do.for the Government to have a measure "C(l «J it by Sir George Grey? ft Mr Rr . Grey Proposed that Mr Bryce should himself propose the amendment. The Government mfsted the SSW stubbornly, although some of them said thoy were favorable to such appointment but declined to give an as! surauce. Mr Pyke, after much speaking by many members, asked Mr Bryce the r> am question whether he would place i a S aidV c V hf- CO im I m,| Sion' bllt M? X& said the Cabinet had not considered the answer. The House divided at 1.30 on Sir S)to S 2 ci GrT S m°tio\^ich was lost by JJ to 23. Clause 6 enables the Government J

to hold the Maori prisoners in durance for .au" indefinite period-five years or more, as Mr Swanson elicited from Mr Bryce bnf Mr Bryce said ;he would put in'a chuZ providing that the trial should take place before thirty days after the commencement Of next session. Mr Te Wheoro wanted *be trial of prisoners to come off at onerMr Bryce's amendment was carried but GO days after jthe assembling of the new p ar . liament was fixed for the time of limitinr) the trial instead of 30, to enable the Hou™ to pass a bill further delaying the trial Theßill passed at 2 a.tn,,wheuthe Housp went into committee on the Property a<T sessment Bill. * " A*' PROPERTY ASSESSMENT BILL,, The House sat until past three o'clock this morning in oommittee on the- Property Assessment Bill. On clause 21, relating to property exempt from taxation,Mr Saunders moved an amendment to exempt agricui. tural implements from taxation,which a s carried on a division by 32 to 16. He moved a further amendment limiting exemption on to agricultural implements in actual use whioh was carried by 24 to 20.

Mr Hislop in the first line of Clause 21 moved an amendment to exempt all perso nal property from assessment, which w-iJ negatived by 35 to 13. V was