AFTERNOON SITTING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6075, 19 September 1881, Page 3

AFTERNOON SITTING.

The House resumed at 3 o'clock. CLAIM OF MB J. H. SHAW. The report of the Petitions Committee against the claim of Mr J. H. Shaw for compensation for loss of office was brought up. Mr Stewart supported the claim for compensation, contending that the petitioner had been removed from office as a member of the Statutes Revision Commission by means of a subterfuge. Mr Hall repudiated the change, and stated that he would be glad if the subject was brought on at such a time as would enable tho whole matter to be exhaustively discussed. Mr Ballance related the circumstances under which Mr Shaw had been appointed, and concluded by giving his opinion that Mr Shaw had a grievance and that the report of the committee had not done him substantial justice. Mr Dick explained that Mr Shawjhad been in the first instance appointed as a Commissioner ; subsequently he wag made assistant law officer, and held that office until ho refused to advise a select committee of the House, in consequence of which he had to resign. It was after he had resigned the law officership that h« fell back on the plea of the injustice done to him in connection with the previous appointment.

The report was ordered to lie on the table.

QUESTIONS,

Replying to Mr Jones, Mr Rolleston said it was the intention of the Government to bring into operation section 76. of the Waste Lands Act, 1877, providing for the sale of pastoral land in Canterbury.

Replying to Mr Lundon, Mr Hall said that while the Government were anxious to have both races fully represented in the Legislature they did not feel called on to say who they would propose, the Governor should call to the Upper House belonging either to the Maori or to the European race.

PENSIONS BILIj,

On the motion by Mr Shriraski being put for leave to introduce the Pensions Bill, a debate ensued as to the subsequent mode of passing it through its stages. Sir George Grey expressed the opinion that it should be tacked to the Appropriation Bill. The motion for the introduction of the bill .„ was eventually wifeh-

drawn,

REPRESENTATION" BILL.

The amendments recommended by the Acting-Governor in the Representation Bill were brought up for considaration.

Mr Bheehan said he fully admitted the right of the Legislative Council to interfere in this matter, but he positively denied the right of the Governor to make the amendments submitted, or to interfere in the matter at all. He charged the Government with the greatest possible breach of faith on the amendments proposed. There were in all 20 alterations in the schedule, and he would oppose them all, and divide on every one of them. The men who fought against the bill on the floor of the House in a constitutional manner had been sacrificed, whereas those who supported the bill subject to mental reservations had been rewarded by getting all they wanted in the amendments now sent down by the Acting-Gevernor. The Ministry had time after time declined to make any alterations, but kept them back to the very last moment and then they brought them down. Ministers had deliberately falsified the bill and sold a large portion of the House. What the Auckland members had failed to do in a constitutional manner one individual gentleman who desired to make things smooth for himself had effected behind their backs. But for a secret compact made outside the House by Ministers in violation of their utterances inside the House these alterations would not have been made.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.