THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 265, 1 August 1908, Page 7

THE HOUSE.

FIRST READINCS. \ Tho House met at 2.30 o'clock. Tho Maori Land Laws Amendment Bill (tho Hon. J. Carroll), the Counties Act 18S6 Amendment Bill (Mr. J. Allen)," and tho Whakatauo County Act Amendment Bill (Mr. Herries) were read a first time. INCORPORATED SOCIETIES. . Tho amendments mado to the Incorporated Societies Bill by tlio Legislative Council were considered.. Tljo Primo Minister moved that amendments proposed to Clauses 4 and 7 be' not agreed to,. but\that the rest. of the amendments bo accepted. This was carried, and Messrs. Massoy, Davey,; and the mover were appointed to meet managers from tho Upper House. CONSOLIDATED STATUTES. NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION. ..The PRIME MINISTER moved tho sc'cond reading of tho Consolidated Statutes Enactment Bill. ' He thought all would agree the consolidated work was of a most 'valuable nature. Ho.wanted'to say that Mr. Jolliffe, while receiving praiso in the report of the Revision Commisson, a certain amount had been taken away therefrom by tho insertion of a certain clause in> the report. _ He was sorry this rcferonco was contained in tho report— (applause)—and while the Houso was not altogether, familiar with the matter they would all, ho thought,; recognise the work clone by Mr! Jolliffe. (Hear, hear.) Ho had been a-most industrious officer,-and had been most useful and zealous in times of difficulty and haste! (Applauso.) Whilo ho wanted to pay well-desorved compliments to, tho Commissioners on their high work, ho also wanted, to voice tlio sentiments of tho Houso regarding tho good work dono by Mr; Jollilfo. (Applause.): Mr. Massoy's Sontiments. Mr. MASSEY, "while paying a tribute to tho consolidation work of tbo Commission, said til© Commission had been unable to consolidate tho Native land legislation. (Hear, hear.) This was becauso Nativo land laws had becomo too complicated. Yet' this was tho law, undor whicil all Native land matters wero dealt With 1 It seemed to hinithat the next work to bo take;i up would be tho elucidation of tho Nativo land laws. He would not givo publicity to the paragraph regarding Air. Jolliffe by quoting it now, but it seemed to bo a paltry attempt to belittle tho work that officer had done. (Applauso.) They all knew that before tlio Commission was appointod lie had given tho whole of his spare timo to tho consolidation of tho Statutes. (Applauso.) If it bad not been for Mr, Jolliffe the consolidation would not be there now. Mr. Jennings: It's tho samo old gamo again 1 Those who do the hard work don't get the praise! (Hear, hear.) Nativo Land Laws. Tho NATIVE MINISTER (the Hon. J. Carroll) said the Leader of, the Opposition know very littlo about the subject of Native land legislation, but was full of condemnation. Tho Native Land Acts were working as well as tlioy could bo expected to. Tho Nativo Land Courts, notwithstanding tho increasing of tho staff, were kept hard at it,

and during tho last oightccn months had put through as much work again as ever before. The Haori Land Boards were actively operating throughout the Dominion, and the increased business transactions every day spoko well in their regard. The Native Land Commission had also boon diligent and widespread in its labours in treaty with and recommending the use to which the largo areas of waste Native lands might.he put. All tho machinery of the Native Acts was open always tj those concerned, and was being availed of by tho public without any unusual hitches occurring. He agreed with •Mr. Massey, however, that consolidation of the Native Land Acts was absolutely necessary, and formed a most important question, hut those compiling the statutes had not had time to go into that part of the work. In fact, it should be mado a special thing, and someone set to that, work' and nothing else uiitil it was done. Mr. HANAN (Invercargill) said tho paragraph scomcd to originate iii a dosiro to do Mr. Jolliffo out of some well-deserved extra remuneration. Ho hoped Parliament would iplace on record its appreciation of tho work doiie by that officer. He, at the same time, pointed out tho advantages conferred by tho consideration of tho laws, and the work done by tho Commission. ..■Mr. BAUME (Auckland) said ho would like to have, had a more detailed report from the Commissioners. Tho Prime Minister Replies. The PRIME MINISTER, in replying, said that in 1004 tho Commission had said they could not go on with tho consolidation of the Native land laws. Thoy had then showed difficulties that should bo settled by legislation. It would havo been unwise to havo delayed tho consolidation of general laws uutil this work could bo done. Tho consolidation of the Native laws was proceeding all tho time. Ho added that any furthor consolidation nccessary could bo done by the Crown Law Office. The Commission ceases to exist with the completion of tho present work. Tho Bill was read a second time, put through its committee stages, read a third time, and passed.