THE SESSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10711, 8 October 1928, Page 5

THE SESSION.

WORK OF UPPER HOUSE. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. When the- Legislative Conncil met at 11 a.m. to-day. the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Institutions ■ Amendment Bill was put through the final stage and passed. In committee on the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Bill, a new clause was inserted making more clear the exemption of insurance companies in respect of voluntary passengers in private cars, or non-paying passengers in cars for hire. The Bill, as amended, was passed.

Tho Opticians Bill was recommitted for the purpose of reconsidering the clause relating to the cancellation "of registration of registered opticians who suffer imprisonment, but was reported without amendment, put through the final stages, and passed. The Government Railways Amendment Bill, Electric Power Board Amendment- Bill and Auckland Transport Bill were received from the House and read a first time-.

The Council adjourned ah 1 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 2.30. The Government Railways. Amendment Bill, Electric Power Boards Amendment Bill and Auckland Transport Board Bill were put through their final stages and passed without amendment, and • the Council adjourned until Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. BIG MAORI CLAIMS. PAYMENT FOR CONFISCATED LANDS. (Press Association./ WELLINGTON, Oct. G. The House inct at 11 o’clock and immediately went on to the Orders of the Day, the committal of the Native “Washing Up” Bill being first business taken . _ The Prime Minister explained tha.t. the principal feature of tlie ‘ Bill was the recognition by the Crbwii of. ex-' tensive Maorir claims' in both islands. A Commission had reported that the Natives in the South Island were entitled to the sum of over £300,000, and a more recent Commission had reported on the allowances to be made on account of confiscated lands in the North Island.' The Government intended to honor these claims, and were considering the best means of financing them. It might be best to raise sufficient money to buy the claims right out, even though it meant borrowing to do it. Under the Bill a Board was set up to administer the settlement of these claims. Mr. Uru said the Maoris of the south felt they were entitled to the grant made by the Commission of 1920, but they knew the country was in a financial difficulty and they were prepared to wait, and they had waited. Now they wanted their cake, raisins and all. He appealed to all sections of the House to help . the Maori', and in doing so they would be helping themselves. Sir Apiraria Ngata said if any European had had charge of the Native claims he would have pursued them in season and out, but the Natives, in deference to the wishes of 'the Government during the wa* and in times of financial stress, had deferred the prosecution of the matter. Generally, the Native members approved of the recommendations of the Commissions, but personally, he did not think the Bay of Plenty people had been fairly treated, and he asked for them further consideration by the Government. Ho entirely approved of the proposals in the Bill to encourage Maori industry on Maori land, ENGINEER’S REGISTRATION BILL. When the House resumed at/-2.30 it immediately went into committee oh tlie Native “Washing Up” Bill, the Auckland University College Reserves Amendment Bill, the Local Legislation Bill, the Copyright (Tenipory) Amendment 'Bill, and the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill. All these Bills, except. the Local Legislation Bill, were slightly amended. They were then read a third time and passed. The Prime Minister asked the House to consider the Engineer’s Registration Amendment Bill, Originally introduced by Mr. Field (Otaki). but which had' not been proceeded with on account of opposition shown towards it. Engineers had waited on hind that morning and assured him that all matters in dispute between them and the surveyors had’ been arranged, and the way was now clear to pass the Bill. , The House agreed to this course, and the Bill was put through its committee stage, read a third time and passed. FINAL BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. ; '• • •

The House then rose till 3 p.m. on Monday, when , the Business will he Local Bills and . the Supplementary Estimates. Qn Tuesday there will bo a Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill. Mr. Cdates said he did not anticipate that there would bo a debate on the cablerwireless agreement unless it could he squeezed in on Monday."lt was unfortunate, bub there it was. ‘