PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 17 August 1910, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The House met at 7.30 p.m. The Hon. A. T. Ngata resumed the debate on the Budget. He pointed out that the law generally did not differentiate between European and Maori. In regard to Native land legislation, he said that in the past Europeans who had transactions with the Natives had not alwavs been of the highest class. This had "led to protective legislation in connection with the alienation of Native lands, and the time was not ripe for abolishing such legislation. It had been recognised that some restriction should be placed upon Maoris in dealing with their lands, and the Land Acts embodied restrictive legislation. In regard to the sale and mortgage of lands, provision had been made on the Statute Book for the gradual breaking down of the communal system, but time must be allowed for this'to be done. When people asked that the Maoris be placed on the same footing as Europeans, it meant in most cases that the Natives should pay the same taxes as . whites. The Maoris would not be equal for a long time to come to discharge the responsibilities sought.to be put upon them. In many eases Maoris were paying the land tax. Mr Luke said the country desired to see justice done to the Maori race. The present position was that Natives owned 155 acres a head as against 65 acres held bv Europeans. He considered there was a eood future before the Natives, and he'believed thev could goon increasing in knowledge and .in numbers. It waslne bounden duty of the State to safeguard the national endowment for the purposes of social reform and educa-

tion. Dealing with the land question. he upheld the leasehold system, and hoped the Prime Minister would appoint, a, Minister of Lands -at an earlydate. The question of tenure might be very well left, alone for a number of years. The report on the water power of the Dominion, obtained by the Goviejrnment \from an American expeirt, was very meagre, and not in proportion to the expense involved. Mr Ell said a progressive public works policy was required in the interests of the settlers, and was as important as the land tenure. In regard to education, he urged that equal facilities be given for technical education in the four chief centres. He suggested a commission of two .men, drawn from the ranks of the workers and employers, to investigate the causes of the decline of manufactures. He declared that whilst this Dominion had spent six millions sterling in buying estates, Victoria had Dnly expended a.million and a-half, and in other respects the comparison was in favour of New Zealand. He concluded by quoting figures to show that the land tax was not oppressive on small farmers.

The House went into committee of supply, and shortly after, on the motion of the Hon. J. Carroll, progress was reported, and the House rose at 10.45 n.m.