EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10481, 20 October 1899, Page 6

EVENING SITTING.

The House met at 7.30 p.m. Mr STEV_-.o regretted the Bill had not been brought down earlier, as it was one of tho -most important dealt with-this session. Mr KAIHAU hoped the cordiai support of all parties in House would be given towards passing the measure, Mr ROLLESTON consi-ered it impossible to get through the Bill this session. He defended the work done by the Native Land Court, and contended that the Bill did not do away w\th. these courts. He believed the Bill the most subtle means of f_c_ing land from the native- that had yet been devised, and that tihe boards proposed to be set up would be merely political -ffaira, and land job-ung concerns. The system proposed was a continuance of the Native Land Court in the worst form, as it would be dominated by the Government of the day. It had been said that the individualisation of titles would be the salvation of the Maori, but he had strong doubts on. that matter. He hoped the Gov_t__ae_t would take the debate on the second reading of the .Bill, and relegate the question to the electors, native and European. i_r BROWN, speaking of Native Reserves, said they were -imply breeding grounds for noxious weeds and harbours for stray cattle. Mr G. HUTCHISON said the changes in native land laws proposed by the Bill were so drastic that the electors should, during the recess, nave an opportunity of cons'dering them. The proposed system of dealing with land was worse than the Native Land Courts. Tbe latter were not all that could be desired, but their work was hampered and controlled by tbe Native Department. He believed in the natives having the control at native lands, leaving them to divide individual interests, which was uniformly done on a just oasis. Messrs Duthie, McLean, Monk, Pirani, and McGudre also spoke, and the Premier having repHed, the motion to go into Committee on toe Bill was carried on the voices. Mr SMITH said the Maoris had not had an opportunity of considering the Bill, and as there was not the slightest chance of the Bill passing this session, he moved to report progress. The PRl_.uG_R urged the House to proceed with the Bill in the interests of the natives. The motion to report progress was carried by 26 votes to 24. POLIL_. PROVIDENT FUND. The Police Provident Fund Bill, which had been laid aside at an earlier stage of the sitting as a protest against the amendments by the Council, which, it was alleged infringed the privileges of the House, was introduced by the Governor's message, and passed through all stages. GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. The PREMIER moved the second reading of the Government Loans to Local Bodies BilL dauses 2 and 3, providing that a bare majority carry the propo__t to raise a loan, and that each ratepayer have one vote only, caused some discus-Loa and opposition. [The Houae was strll sitting when the telegraph office dosed at 2 a.n_]