HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8099, 30 September 1904, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The Public Petitions Committee reported favorably on the petition of the widow of the late Hanson Turton, excivil servant, for a compassionate allowance. In the course of considerable discussion several members urged upon the Government the necessity of establishing a universal system of pensions. Sir Joseph Ward said he considered the time had not yet arriyed for the inauguration of such a system. NATIVE AFFAIRB.

The Native Affairs Committee recommended that an enquiry be held into the case of certain natives on the West Coast reserves, who asked to be allowed to administer their own lands.

A lengthy, discussion ensued. Mr A. L. D. Fraser moved that the question be referred back to the commiCteo with instructions to enquire into the whole of the grievances in connection with the West Coast reserves.

Sir William Russell urged that the whole question ' of dealing with native lands should be submitted to a commission 1 consisting of men of such high standing that there would be no possibility of imputing improper motives to them. ' ..

The Hon. Carroll said it was advisable that the enquiry should be limited to the case under review, and on the larger subject he appealed to the House to retain tne present system of administration of these lands by the Public Trustee.

VARIOUS BILLS. Tlte Regi9tr»t;on of Plumbers Bill was introduced by Governor's message, and read • first time. The Law Amendment Bill and Administration Act Amendment Bill were pub through their final stages. Progress was reported on the Marriage Acts Compilation Bill. The Water SuppTy Amendment Bill passed through committee without material amendment. , , ln committee, on the Maori Antiquities Act Amendment Bill, a new subclause was added on the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, enabling any person who has offered a Maori antiquity for sale to remoye it fromjhe colony with the consent of the Colonial Secretary. The Local Elections Bill was committe*. Clause 8. dealing with the "nomination of candidates," was amended to provide that nomination papers shall be signed by not more than three electors. . Clause 17, "Duration of poll," was' altered to provide that the hour of closing of a poll may. by an Order-in-Coun-cil, on the application of the local authority, be extended to 7 p.m.