HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, December 3rd.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 10, 4 December 1863, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, December 3rd.

In* the Hou.se of Representatives yesterday, the report of the "Auckland and Drury Railway Bill" was brought up and adopted, and* the bill "read a third time and passed.

The " Bank of Otugo "(Limited) Bill" waa also read a third liiue and passed.

In answer to Major Richardson who enquired " whether young men under age, resident within ihtf Province of Auckland, who had volunteered "lor the defence of the province, should be debarred from the exercise of privileges accorded to strangers who enlist in the Waikato regiments," the hon. Sir. Russell explained to the mover that he was labouring under a misapprehension, none having been so debarred from those privileges.

The motion of Jlr. Fox " that papers laid on the "House relative to tours in Waikato, and the investigation of the title to the Waitara, together with the proceedings of an anterior meeting be printed," was agreed to.

A Message was received from the Governor, stating that in accordance with the wish of the Assembly he would take measures to ascertain the willingness of the Governors of the Australian Colonies to form a commission to decide upon the future seat, of government for New Zealand, and that 011 tho decision of such commission he will proceed to act upon the further wishes of tiie Assembly.

Mr. Stafford in moving " that the thanks of this House be given to the Superintendeut and Provincial Council of the Province of Auckland, for the liberal manner in which they have provided accommodation for the General Assembly," alluded to the special courtesy of the Council in giving up the use of the Provincial buildings at a lime when they were themselves in session, and expressed the regret which he had felt on hearing of the very discourteous manner in which the members of the Provincial Council had been excluded from the use of on a late occasion, and which he found by the public prints to have caused a considerable amount of irritation—[the hon. member might have .said " indignation"]—among the people ol Auckland. Mr. John "Williamson then moved " that the petit ion of the oflicer?, non-commissioned oiliccrs, and privates of the Auckland Militia and Volunteers, be referred to the select committee on the Auckland Waste Lands Amendment Bill, with instructions to that committee to consider the prayer of the petition, and report thereon." Mr. Reynolds stated that he would oppose the prayer of the petition, as also did Major Richardson. The petition was then read. Mr. Reynolds thought it would be inadvisable for this House to recommend the prayer —-if i.'h things were to be allowed, it would be better for the House to decide that all the native lands should be equally divided among tho whole Kuropean people. He objected to giving awny the waste lands of the colony to any one. especially when there was a loan of £500,000 upon the Provincial lands of the Province of Auckland. The hon. It,

Wood thought both the petition aiu\ the motion pre- | gl mature, lie did not djsputo the loss complained of— J but asked the House to let tins matter, us of „ compensation, stand over, till the war was past. _ On other grounds lie would oppose the prayer oi tlii. j 5 petition, because he thought tluit.whatever eompensa- T , tion of any sort was given should be given in money, j not land. ' The practice of giving money instead of ; laud would lead to a more careful consideration, he thought, of the advisability of doing so. Mr. Atkui- B son thought it was only fair that the Militia and Volunteers called out- on active service should have t those services substantially recognised. The time for ( doing bo had not however arrived. Mr. Fox thought i the motion premature, the sen-ice should be first , completed before the compensation was given. Ho instanced a case at Wellington, where a public lniui had bid for popularity by proposing to give grants of laud to every Volunteer and Militiaman ol three months standing, who had perhaps attended drill half a dozen times. Mr. Ronall admitted the great sacrifices made by the Volunteers and Militia, and said that, when the proper time came, at the conclusion of the war, he would bo found supporting their claims. Mr. Rhodes opposed the prayer of the petition. Major Richardson thought tho matter Bhould be left to be decided at tho close of the rebellion. Mr. C. Taylor drew attention to the prayer of the petition as showing that it was proviucial laud sought to be awarded, and that therefore the petition ought justly to be submitted to the committee on tho Auckland Waste Lands Amendment Bill.' In replying Mr. Williamson explained the nature of the boon sought.. He wished to have the matter referred to tho above mentioned committee, who might bo greatly assisted in coining to their decision by tne expression of tlie Auckland Provincial Council, which was deliberating 1 the question in dispute that very ill*, j Williamson said tluit his chief reason for assisting the petitioners was to afford a. 111111101* inducement to the i YVaiknto regiments, when disbanded, to remain m the

province. . The report of the selcct ooimnitl.ee will be brought up to-morrow (tliis day.) The Juvy Law Amendment Bill was read a second time, mid considered in committee. The Criminals Bill,'which was designed to meet those offenders with which, as it appeared from Ota go members., that that province is literally flooded, raised considerable discussion on the second reading ; it passod, however, through this stage, and was ordered to be committed. The House then went into committee on Message No. 7 of liis Excellency, in which Sir George Grey desired to know on what grounds the House eame to the conclusion that portions of his despatches to the Dul;e of Newcastle on the Waitara question were ] inaccurate, and requesting the House to point out the said passages. Mr. Fox thought that it was not desirable 10 open tip the WaiUir.i question. He took occasion to answer tlic sneer which had frequently been thrown out in the House that he lmd changed his opinions. He had steered his political^course by strict principles, but as new circumstances had arisen he had altered that course, but not his principles. Ho proposed that, tlio matter should be referred to a selcct committee, to consist of Messrs. \\ eld, Uillies, Richardson, FitzG-crald, Featherston, and the mover. An amendment was proposed by Sir. Weld, basing the conclusion at which the House arrived 011 the replv of the Duke of Newcastle to the despatches themselves. Mr. Renall was in favour of allowing the question go before a committee. A Message was received from Ins Eicollcncv, statinc that in tlio name of Her Majesty, lie had | assented to the Suppression of Rebeslion ana otlior B In the evening tlie Criminals' Bill was read a third I timo and passed. The Gold Kields' Act Amendment j Bill was road &Becond time, ooiifl-.derea 111 committor, i road a third time and passed. Several members urged the impossibility of sup I nressinir sly cro" selling, while the licenses wen. chirged so hi','h and issued bo sparingly to respectable Scans. The Vaccination Bill was also | In committee, reported, road a third tunc and passed.

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Thursday, 3hd Decfmbeb. ".'he Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. On the motion of Mr. Wynn, tho motions 1, 2, 3, anil 4, were postponed uuiil next sitting day. -Mr. Kovre in moving that the report of Committee on Seat of Government bo adopted, said, that report was not exactly of the nature expected ; but it wan always necessary to lake steps likel,v to gain tho object sought; and for many reasons' lie considered it necessary that the report should not bo more full. The discussion of tho subject in the Assembly juse now was very inopportune ; and it is astonishing that men calling themselves gentlemen should just now, in Auckland's distress, bring forward such a motion. It seems as though that thev regarded Auckland's extremity their opportunity. 'He was pleased to see the liberality with which they had voted tho necessary supplies; but this question should have been left out. Had they postponed it until tho establishment of peaec, until the cessation of hostilities had placed land long debarred us, aud until the vast resources of this province were developed, it would have been more reasonable. Not, only is the time inopportune, but the manner in wliieh it was done ia wrong, for they ignore the claims of Auckland altogether. For many years Auckland has been the Scat of Government, and during the whole period the inhabitants of Auckland have done their duty, exhibited the greatest industry to persovcranec, and made Auckland what it now is spite of many serious difficulties. The exports of tho Province, save in gold and wool, exceeds those of all New Zealcnd put togegether, and had there been i'aiv plav, these also would have been at least equal. Auckland should not have becu altogether ignorant in a question of this kind, unless some grave charge had been laid against, her. The claims of this Province to be the Seat of Government has not only not been regarded, and put out of the question altogether, but they havo referred the subject to whom ? why the inhabitants of other colonies, who, for what we know, are as much interested in the question as the inhabitants of the other island. The time and manner have both been very wrong, If ever there was a time for unity of eilort, the annihilating of all petty animosities, it was now. A full council should bo called and the voico of every part of the Province had on the subject. In times past there wore reasons in the request for removal, but these reasons are giving way. Distance was an assigned reason. This nas been partially removed, by holding sessions in tho South, though he had no faith 'in wandering governments,—they aro not creditable. But oven the question of distance amounted to notliiug ; for now that we have regular steam communication it makes but a few hours difference whether a man goes to Wellington or Auckland. Then railways and electric telegraphs—aunihilators of space —-will soon bo brought into operation. What can be done, he continued, without an Executive Government in Auckland P The hon. member who introduced the measure in the House of Representatives said, that to govern tho Natives, tho Government must be at a distance from them. This was so contrary to all experience and history, and withal, so absurd, that he would not arguo the matter. If (ho Native difficulty is to be adequately dealt with, and elfective measures adopted, wo must have an executive. After the war is put down, hfl desired to see the Natives elevated. He did not want to see them destroyed, and the best cQ'orta of the Province would be devoted to their welfare. Never, he said, was there a man who stood on the platform of Exeter Hall, who desired more earnestly the elevation of the natives than the majority of the inhabitants of this province desired it; but without nil execution, measures calculated to ell'cct this end coukl not be carried out. If tho measure for tho removal of the scat of government be brought iuto effect, he considered it his duty not only to ask for separation, but to urge it with all his ability. It has been said that though they remove the scat of government, they cannot remove our harbour, our rivers, or our timber. Then Auckland has a great future besore her ; and though thoy may remove the seat of government, though they may inflict injury upon injury, " grass will never grow in Queen-stroet." Another reason assigned for removing the government. is that of population ; and laughable to say, the man who has been the champion of the Maori has made eloquent speeches, writ-sen pamphlets, and made a great noise about them, now, to suit his purpose, leaves (liem entirely out of his calculation. Cook's Straits being tho best p'.ace of call for the steamers of the Panama line was another reason assigned ; but as Sir. Staflord's speech was an unanswerable refutation of this fallacy, ho would merely refer to it. He hoped that on tliis matter at least the old motto would bo adopted, " One and allthat petty differences would give way, aud all be united in resisting those encroachments.

The motion having boon seconded, vraa put and carried unauimeiulv.

0:i :lie motion of Mr. Itowc "That in the opinion of thi" Council it is expedient and desirable that tho Volunteer ar.'l Militia companies who have been engaged on actual servl ■ during the present insurrection in this province i : ':nu' \ bo entitled to the privileges granted in the .Military .'Settlers' clauses of thti * Auckland Waste Jjauc; Ac;., ISSS,' an.l that his 'ir ono r me Superintendent be requested to forward c,; 3 resolution to t'l9 'Houtio of Koprtfsntativca," CHisiderable discussion ensued, which resulted in the pasc uIT 0 f an amendment to the eS'eet that the debute on t°, subject be adjuiraod until the next sitting day. j Mr. Wvan mi~ oc } « That thiß Council bo callod ou the Ilth day of r) cce mber, 1803. Also, that the Council at its rising i 0 adjourn until ho 11th day of December, instant," w.jeh was earned i%>r some discussion. _ Mr. King moved "That-i cominittoo bo ippoin'x:u consisting of Messrs. Harvop, Rown, AVynn, and the mover, to provide! some mote convenient place ol' meeting for thoProviucial Council in the event of the General Assembly otill requiring tho Council Chamber after the 13th infant," which was

:arried. Mr. Cadman's motion " That an address be presented to Ilia Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to take stops to introduce into a bill now before :lie General Assembly, a clause which will exempt members of Provincial Councils from liability to serve on petty juries during scsbiou," was -Withdrawn jv consent, as tho caso is met by a bill now before the House of Representatives. The Council adjourned at five o'clock.