PARLIAMENTARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3987, 22 August 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Br Blectmc Telegraph.] the next move on the political ■ob:ess-board. THE DIVISION A " CATCH" ONE. MEMBERS LOCKED-OUT EXPLAIN THEIR POSITION. NATIVE LAND ACT. THE WAIKATO RAILWAY. A CAUCUS IN MR. SHEEHAN'S QUARTERS. [FROM OPR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Government Buildings, Wellington, Friday, S p.m. There has been a sedulous attempt all through the session to mislead not only the members of the House but the outside public. It was thought at one time that no man was fit for being a newspaper correspondent unless he was also a member of the House, but 1 have my doubts now whether even a Cabinet Minister is sufficiently well informed for that. It is believed that Vogel himself is the only man fit for the billet, as no one knows, not even his colleagues, what he purposes doing. About 5, yesterday, a trusty servant of the Government was sent round to inform Government supporters of the chance of a catclt division at tile evening's session. None of the Opposition knew of this arrangement, hence White, Harrison, Johnstone, and O'Rorke were absent. Von der Heyde did not vote. Pearce, 1 hear, declared in the afternoon he would neither vote nor pair with Waketield ; while Wales was afraid "to commit himself, although he this day accounted for his absence by being locked out. Bradshaw declined not half-an-hour before doing the contrary, and I heard he would vote with the Opposition, which was singular conduct for a follower of Stafford.

It is only fair to say that Harrison, Johnstone, O'Rorke, and White were lucked out. Tairoa voted with the Ministry because he thought if there were no Provincial Governments he would have been awarded justice long since. Many members had been preparing for days to deliver themselves of their opinions, but were frustrated, and it was considered singular that men like Stafford, Fitzherbcrt, Fox, T. B. Gillies, and others should have recorded silent votes on so grave a matter, until it was known what was ITitzherbert's course of action in moving in committee, as the telegraph agency informed you. Stafford, of course, is pleased to see Vogel carry out his policy even in an incomplete form. It is said here by those well informed that Stafford wants Vogel to convene another session shortly to pass the bill to consolidate the provinces. Stafford is not likely to come back for nothing. A caucus was held in Sheehan's quarters last night, when there were present—Bunny, Macandrew, Reeves, Fitzherbeit, Gillies, Reid, and Sheehan, to consider the present position of political parties. A unanimous conclusion was arrived at that the present could only be regarded as the beginning of a new fight; and that the Government should be invited to go to the country before introducing any constitutional changes. Steps should be undertaken to direct the attention of the whole country to the proposed changes, of the dangers of the present personal Government, the reckless character of the colonial measures, and the extravagant nature of colonial expenditure ; and the fact that the introduction of these cru<!<> resolutions wouUl lead to the formation of a strong party and united Opposition. On the third reading of the Railways Bill, Mr. .>hechau brought up the question of the extension of the Waikato line to Taranaki, and strongly urged immediate action on the part of the Government. Mr. Richardson said the Government was now investigating the question, and was in possession of valuable information, all pointing to the fact that the line to Taranaki was a practicable one, and ought to be undertaken.

The report of the Select Committee on native affairs re Native Lands Act, IST:-!, is to the following effect:—(l) That the measure is far too paternal in character and affects a great number of native children destitute of ordinary intelligence. (2) It imposes such stringent conditions as to notices and other points of administratieu as renders it almost impossible for any native to comply with its provisions. (3) It largely increases the time and expense of survey and investigation. (4) That it anus a number of irresponsible officials with such large powers that at any stage a claim under investigation may be stopped on the most insufficient grounds. (5) That leases aud sales to private persons are by provisions of the Act rendered very difficult to be completed. (G) That the system in force under the repealed Acts, with some necessary amendments and alterations, would be more likely to prove acceptable to petitioners and cause satisfaction among them. (7) It compels judges to make a preliminary investigation, wliich in most cases would likely be of an ex parte character, and it orders surveys to be made under such circumstances as will lead applicants and counter-claimants to imagine their claims ignored. The committee is therefore of opinion that in section 15 effect should be given to the request of the petitioners by reinstating assessors in the position occupied by them under the repealed Acts, provision to be made when differences of opinion occur. Section 35 : In reference to the objection taken by petitioners to section 35, the committee find that this is the identical objection taken by the Judges of the Native Lauds Court in their report. The machinery required under the Act for service of notices appears to be exceedingly cumbrous and expensive, and it would be desirable aud advisable to fall back upon the practice existing under the repealed Acts. Section 3S: The committee arc of opinion that so much ot the Act as requires preliminary investigation to be made by judges before survey or hearing claimants in open Court, should be repealed and the committee make this recommendation on the grounds set fortli in the petition and memorandum of the Judges of the jSative Lands Court relative to the Act. Section 44 -. The committee recommends that claimants and counter-claimants should he allowed same privileges in appointing spokesman to conduct any case on their behalf. Section 71 :In refereuce to the objection to section 71, the committee recommend returning to the practice existing under the old Aets, whereby a native was required to be at the expense of one map only. The Government should prepare copies of the map as may be required for records. Section 7S : Effect should be given to the request of the petitioners to the extent of shortening the time in which a re-hearing may be applied for from six months to three months. The committee would also call attention to the powers which, by section SS, arc given to the Goveriior-in-Council, of ordering a rehearing at any time, without regard to transactions affecting the land which may have taken place subsequent to the issue of the Crown grant. Section 10G : That the law in respect of taking lauds for roads and railways should be made the same in the case of the Maoris as of Europeans.

I hear that Von der Heyde's committee -were three and three, and the chairman gave his casting vote. He goes in the Luna, and takes the writ for a new election. Mr. T. B. Gillies is also on his way up to Auckland, per steamer Luna. There was great rejoicing in the Government tents last night when the division was knj'.vi).