HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6076, 20 September 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, September 19. The House met at 11 a.m. NATIVE AFFAIRS ON THE WEST COAST. On the motion for the second reading of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill, Mr Rolleston, after a, few preliminary remarks as to the bill, said that hon. members had no doubt observed in the newspapers certain reports as to the existence of an unsatisfactory state of • affairs on the West Coast. The Government also had received reports which caused some anxiety as to the future. They had, however, every hope that, per- ' sistence in the course hitherto adopted might avert any serious difficulties from arising. At the same time it was only right to say that the position was one requiring great care and circumspection. The Government would, however, before the House rose afford members an opportunity of learning all that the Government knew up to the latest moment, and they would ask the House to entrust them with such funds as might enable '- them to deal decisively and promptly with any contingency that might arise. J

Mr Turnbull considered that it was a great mistake to have allowed . Sir V. D. Bell to leave the colony at the time ho did, when the settlement of this West Coast question had reached such a critical moment.

Sir William Fox regretted the loss of his colleague in the West Coaat Commission. Still he did not think that his departure from the colony had had any very material effect on the settlement of the question.

Mr Brown said the aspect of affairs revived the question as to how far the late Native Minister was right in asserting that more energetic steps Bhould be adopted.

Mr Ballance said the statement made by the Native Minister was calculated to create a feeling of alarm, which might be toned down if further information «r»g given. He asked the Government to give »uch a atatement ; if not now, at all events when the proper time arrived.' Mr Sheehan blamed the Government for not bringing down such an important measure until the latest moment. Sir William Fox ought to be on the Government benches, being entrusted with questions involving as they did peace and war on the West Coast. In the present state of the case they had virtually two Native Ministers, aggravated by the fact that one of these was wholly irresponsible. la connection with this West Coast settlement they had no ordinary person to deal with ; they had one who claimed special inspiration, and who refused to be gnided by the ordinary rules which governed ordinary humanity. He did not think that war waß intended, and it would not arise unless they committed some great blunder. If, however, it did arise he for one was prepared to go to the full extremity, so as to preserve the race itself from the consequence of their ill-advised conduot. He would have liked to have seen the force that had been sent on the coast located there two years ago, aa he quite believed it would have tended to preserve the public" peace.

§£Mr Tomoana complained that the bill had not come down earlier, and that it was moat extraordinary a bill of import-

unce should be invariably kept back to the very last moment. Mr Moss protested against the colony being forced into hostilities with the natives. Mr Macandrew could not Bee the bill was forcing them into hostilities. He thought the bill, with some amendments he would propose in committee, was a very requisite one. Mr Rolleston, in reply, denied the insinuations made by Mr Moss to the effect that Major Parris was in partnership in certain West. Coast native land transactions. The second reading of the bill was then put and carried, and the' House went into committee on it. After progress had been made it was reported, and leave granted to sit again. The House adjourned at 1.20.