Parliamentary Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 478, 17 November 1897, Page 2

Parliamentary Notes.

IN THE HOUSE AND COUNCIL,

[By Telegraph.] [From our Special Reporter.] Wellington, Nov. 16. THE TARAKAKI NATIVES. The Premier told Mr Henare Kaihau that the Natives who had ploughed up the lands of settlers in the district had not any communication with Government in any way before doing so, and had the Europeans acted in a similar way they would have been sentenced to a longer term of imprisonment. JUVENILE DEPRAVITY. After the report of the committee on Young Persons Protection Bill, which was to the effect that the prevalence of juvenile depravity was proved by the evidence brought before them, and that legislation should be passed had been read, the member for Patea raised the question of the production of the evidence on which the report was based. The Premier deprecated laying the evidence on the table, as it would get into the newspapers and have an injurious effect on public morals. Sir R. Stout, who was Chairman of the Committee, took a like view. On the other hand, Messrs Pirani and Tanner condemned the proposal to ask Parliament to pass the Bill without evidence of the ground of recommendation. The motion for the production of evidence was negatived by 37 to 81. TIIE I'OMOIIAKA ESTATE. The Pomohaka settlers are in distressed circumstances, is shown by the petition presented to the House

to-day by the member for Clutha. The petitioners allege that there experience of the land, extending for the most part of over three half years, was that its capabilties are not sufficent to enable them to pay rent and live ; that they have expended their capital in improving their holdings, but that from the returns received they are forced to the conclusion that the rents are too high, and they are forced to forfeit their holdings and consequent loss of their hard earned savings. They therefore petition the House for assistance.

YOUNG PERSONS PROTECTION BILL. The alterations made in the Young Persons Protection Bill by the Committee to which it was referred are all of an important character. The Bill as amended by the Committee applies to boys as well as girls, apparently, not over sixteen years of age, and proceedings under the proposed enactment are to be heard before a Magistrate only. The provision that a young person found improperly loitering is to be taken to the nearest refuge has been struck out, and the place is to be dreseribed in the regulations. The Committee have also excised the provision whereunder boys found in gambling or immoral houses may be ordered to be whipped. THE CASE OF JOHN MEIKLE. The case of John Meikle, of Windham, gave rise to a prolonged discussion. The petitioner had been convicted of sheep stealing, and on his release after serving a sentence of seven years he successfully prosecuted the chief witness against him (one Lambert) for perjury. In connection with the cas he then petitioned the House for redress, and the Petitions Committee in 1895 recommended him to be paid £294 by way of expenses and some compensation. This amount assessed by the Government at £SOO and they had the sum placed on the suplementary estimates in full satisfaction of any claim Meikle might have against the colony, but he refused to accept it, and this session again petitions the House. To-day the Petitions Committee reported that Meikle has been favorably treated and therefore they had no further recommendations to make.

On the report being presented, Mr Kelly challenged the recommendation urging that the amount offered the petitioner by the Government by way of solatium was altogether inadequate, and moved that the report be referred back to the committtee for reconsideration.

This was carried by 40 to 21, and all the Ministry voting in the minority.

After the result of the division was announced Messrs Rollestion and Buchanan expressed the opinion that the petitioner had not received fair compenstation for his lengthened incarceration and the wrong done his family. Mr Morrison, as a member of the Petitions Committee said the decision come to was a unanimous one because of Lambert's connection. It did not necessarly follow that Meikle was innocent of sheep stealing and that was the whole point. Mr Pirani asserted that any petitioner who was not a supporter of the Government had not the slightest chance of getting redress however just his grievence might be. Nothing was more surprising in the annals of this country than the offer of a Supreme Court Judgship to Judge Ward after he bad displayed his connection with the case. These remarks were based apparently on the document which Meikle placed before the committee purporting--to bear the signature of Judge Ward and Mr Westenra, J.P., of Christchurch, but which was proved to be bogus, and Meikle subseqently admitted to the committee that he had been imposed on with respect to it by two convicts who were in gaol at the same time as he was. As chairman of the committee Mr Meredith expressed his regret at the manner in which the fair reputation of Judge Ward had been traduced. Had such a statement been made by the Minister of Lands every member on the Opposition bench would have risen in bis glace bristling with in*

dignation to denounce the action of the Minister. After the Premier had characterised the statement that the petitioner's case had been prejudiced owing to his political leaning was a misrepresentation of the worst kind. The matter went back to the committee for further reconsideration and evidence. THE POLICE COMMISSION. Judging by the manner in whieh the House received the intelligence that Dr Giles and Mr Poynton wifh Mr Hfufefklge on the commission to enquire into the organisation of the police force, it is generally satisfactory to members. I learn, however, that Mr T. E. Taylor, who was the prime mover in getting the commission set up, while expressing strong approval of Mr Povnton's suitability, will strenuously resist the inclusion of Dr Giles. THE ESTIMATES. The battle of the Estimates was resumed last nigh?, the Department of Lands and Survey being first taken. A long discussion took place on various departmental matters, aiul Mr Taylor moved to reduce the vote £650 to the Assistant-Surveyor General by £1 as a protest against an increase to the higher paid officers. Aft-, r discussion the motion was lost on the voices. The vote of £IOO for building an accommodation bouse at Lake Wakaremoana caused some comment. The Minister of Lands explained that it was necessary to afford accommodation for tourists desirous of visiting the Lake. It was intended to lease the bouse to some competent person. Messrs Rolleston and Monk thought the Government should not rush into business of this sort; whilst Mr Wilson strongly supported the item as accommodation was necessary for Gisborne, Napier, and other visitors. The item then passed. Mr Taylor divided the Committee over balnealogist and expenses £IOOO, which was explained to mean the Thermal Springs expert. The item was retained by 49 to 7. Shortly before 2 a.m. the police department was reached, Mr Pirani, moving to report progress, which was supported by the leader of the Opposition, but the motion was negatived by 31 to 27The Minister of Defence explained that the Police Commission would deal fully with the organisation of the force, its scope to be as wide as possible, and to effect this Mr Tunbridge had been appointed. Protests against the inclusion of the new Commissioner came from Messrs Allen, Russell, Rolleston, Taylor, and others, all pointing out that the officer must be brought into contact with the Government and the force. In answer to an appeal by the leader of the Opposition to withdraw Mr Tunbridge's name, the Premier promised to give the matter further consideration, and intimated that he had received a telegram that night from Dr Giles expressing his inability to act. A few minutes before five, when Mr Wason moved to report progress, there was a bare quorum of members, the majority being stretched out apparently fast asleep. After half-an-bour's argument the motion was lost by 27 to 20. The discussion continued without the com mi: tee getting any further forward till 6.45 a.m., when the item for inspectors under the Licensing Act was reduced on the voices by £l, which means that these officers are to be dispensed with. A quarter of an hour later Mr Moore's motion to report progress was rejected by 27 to 14. While this division was being taken the strains of " In the sweet by and bye " could be heard wafted from the Noes division lobby, the voice of the member for the East Coast being distinctly recognisable. A subsidy of £3OO has been promised by the Premier to the forthcoming Auckland exhibition. No further progress was being made with the estimates at 8 this morning when an hour's adjournment was taken lor breakfast. At the Premier's suggestion the Hansard hands were relieved from farther reporting the Police Department estimate for some time. The Government supporters have sat tight, leaving the Opposition to do all the talking. After the breakfast adjournment on the police estimates, the Premier agreed to dispense with the services of inspectors under the Licensing Act. Mr Seddon promised that the vote of £SOO on the estimates would not prejudice a further payment to Meikle should the Petitions Committee report to that effect. The discussion on the " Purchase of long service medals," £SO, is still going strong. When the luncheon adjournment arrived, answering a threat of dissolution fioin the Government side of the House, Mr Taylor said he would welcome a dissolution most heartily. He was not at all certain he would not stump the country letting light on the action of the Government during the past eight weeks.