PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9132, 14 August 1888, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NATIVE LAND bill. The Native Land Court Bill was further considered in committee. Sir H. Atkinson explained that the effect of clauses 2, 3, and 4 of the Bill was to enable dealings to be carried on in respect of land held under a certificate of title, and memorial of ownership, which although good holding titles would not permit of Crown grants being issued. Clause 2 : Providing for the registration of native land not held by Crown grants. Mr. Hutchison moved an amendment to extend the operation of the clause to less than the whole number of owners.

Sir H. Atkinson refused to accept the amendment, as it would place too much power in the hands of the Judge, and take it away from the House. Sir George Grey urged that the Bill be postponed till next session, to give time for further consideration.

Mr. Hutchison then moved an amendment that the clause should apply to future transactions, and allowing past ones to be dealt with specially. The Premier accepted the amendment, but with some regret. Air. Taiwhanga said he should remain stonewalling unless the Bills were postponed for the March meeting at Waitangi. Considerable discussion then ensued, the Premier stating that Taiwhanga had distinctly promised to withdraw his opposition if the native chiefs were allowed to appear at the bar of the House, and Taiwhanga asserting that be had only made the promise with regard to the Native Land Bill, which was then under discussion.

Messrs. Carroll, Pratt, and Taipua corroborated the Premier's statement.

Mr. Hutchison's second amendment was carried on the voices, the first one, which the Premier objected to, being withdrawn. Clause 2 as amended was agreed to, and the House rose at half-past five p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. In committee on the Native Land Court Act Amendment Bill, clause 3, title brought under Land Transfer Act,

Mr. Carroll moved that assessors should assist the Chief Judge in ascertaining the bona fides of transactions.

Agreed to.

Mr. Taiwhanga said he had to thank those members who had assisted him in opposing he native Bills, and he expressed surprise that the native members should turn round on their own people in this manner. lie, however, could not remain in the House till a Bill was passed which would do so much injury to the natives. He then walked out of the Chamber, and clause 3 as amended was passed. Mr. Taiita moved that clause 7, Crown claims in respect of money advanced may be satisfied, be struck out.

After a lengthy discussion, the Premier agreed that the Government should receive half the amount of the claims.

Sir H. Atkinson, in reply to a question, said £80,000 to £100,000 was due from those advances. It was chiefly advanced since the initiation of the Public Works policy. Messrs. Samuel and Moss urged that the claim should only be enforced for six years back.

Mr. Carroll strongly opposed the clause. After further debate, Sir H. Atkinson moved an amendment that the Court, before paying such money, shall be satisfied that it was a legal claim for money actually paid for land purchased. Messrs. Carroll, Pratt, and Taipca again urged at some length that the clause be struck out.

Sir H. Atkinson said the native members were somewhat unreasonable, as all the clause asked for was to enable the Government to recover money paid for purchase of land.

Mr. Carroll denied that the natives were unreasonable, but he regarded the clause with some suspicion. Finally Sir H. Atkinson moved that the clause be amended to provide that not more than half the money shall be payable on account of those claims.

Agreed to, and the clause passed as amended.

The remainder of the Bill passed without discussion.

Mr. Mitchf.lsox moved a number of new clauses, one of which defined "natives "to include children of half-castes. Objection was taken to this, and on the motion of Mr. Savckl it was altered to " descendants of half-castes by natives." On the motion of Mr. Ballance clause 14 was amended to prevent any individual or company acquiring more than 5000 acres of native land, on division, by 31 to 16. Mr. TAii'UA wished to compel natives to reserve at least 200 acres for their own use, but this amendment was lost by 28 to 10. Clause 18, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison', was amended to legalise past transactions under section 25 of the Native Land Administration Act, the votes being •21 to 21. The Premier upon this moved to report progress, as the Government objected to the amendment. Agreed to. The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee. [Left sitting at 2 a.m.]