NEW BILLS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6583, 24 May 1882, Page 2

NEW BILLS.

The West Coast Peace Preservation Act, 1882 (Hon. Mr Bryce).—This Bill is intitnled an Act to make provision for the Preservation of the Peace of the West Coast District of the North Island. The preamble recites that To Whiti and Tobn are now confined in gaol awaiting trial for sedition, and that, prior to thsir arrest, they held meetings of aboriginal Natives at Parihaka, at which they “held language calculated to promote disaffection, and which, on several occasions, led to breaches of the law.” Mention is made of the dispersion of the tribes to their own proper residences, and that it is not now deemed necessary to try To Whiti and Tohu with a view to the infliction of punishment; but if they were liberated, and permitted to return to Parihaka, it is feared that Maoris would again assemble there, causing apprehension and distrust among the peaceable inhabitants of both races, and involve danger to the peace of the colony. It is therefore provided that Te Whiti and Tohu shall not be tried for the offence for which they are now charged. Further, that it sha 1 ! be lawful for the Governor in Council to issue instructions——ll.) To keep the said Te Whiti and Tohu, or either of them, in custody in such place as the Governor thinks fit. (2.) To relerse or discharge them, or either of them, unconditionally. (3.) To release or discharge them, or either of them, subject to such terms and conditions as the Governor thinks fit to im pose. (4.) After any such release or discharge, whether unconditionally or on conditions, to again arrest them or either of them, and to keep them, or either of them, in custody as aforesaid. The prisoners are not to be bailed, liberated, or discharged from custody without an order from the Governor in Council, under a penalty on the person offending not exceeding £SOO. It is further provided that if any Maoris exceeding twenty in number assemble in public, and it shall appear to any Justice of the Peace that the proceedings at such meeting are calculated to create disaffection towards the Government or disturbance of the public peace, he may cause proclamation in the Maori language commanding the Maoris so assembled to disperse; and disregard of such command by tha Maoris, or any ten or more of them, will be deemed an offence, and the offenders will be liable to arrest and summary punishment in fines not exceeding £SO, or imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding twelve months, or to find sureties for peaceful behaviour for a similar term. It is provided that the Act shall only remain in operation until the end of the next session of the General Assembly, and shall apply only to the district thus described: — “ Commencing at the-tanael-at-Parininihi, or the White Cliffs, and thence by a line running due East, 20 miles ; thence by a line running in a south-westerly direction to the Ngaire Swamp ; thence by a line known as the ‘ Confiscated Lina ’ to the point where it strikes the Waitotara river, and by that river to the sea ; .and thence- by the sea to the commencing point.” The Indemnity Act, 1882 (Hon. Mr Bryce). —The preamble of the proposed measure refers to the assembly of Aboriginal Natives at Parihaka, tb« undue excitement, breaches of the law, and disturbance of the public peace, and the repressive measures adopted by the Government, “ seme of which measures may have been |n excess of legal powers. 5 ’ It is therefore provided that every person who,, before the .passing of the Act, shall have acted under th# authority of the Government in preserving peace or good order, or in resisting, apprehending, imprisoning, or committing to prim any

person—“ (1.) Destroying or damaging property, real or personal ; (2.) Committing any of the offences specified in the West Coast Settlement (North Island) Act, 1350 ; (3. Assembling or holding meetings at Parihaka, iu the Provincial District of Taranaki ; (4.) Attending any such meeting, and refusing or neglecting to disperse or depart therefrom when directed or required so to do by any person acting under the authority of the Government of New Zealand ; (5.) Making use of seditious or threatening language; and any person who shall have damaged or destroyed any real or personal property, or searched for, seized, or taken possession of any arms or ammunition under or by virtue of such authority as aforesaid, shall be and is hereby freed, acquitted, released,indemnified, and discharged of, from, and against all actions, suits, complaints, informations, indictments, prosecutions, liabilities, aod proceedings whatsoever.” To prevent doubt, the Governor may, by writing under his hand, declare any act, matter, or thing done as coming within the provisions of the Act.