PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 405, 15 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.)

Wellington, August 15

After other matters of minor importance had been disposed of in the House of Representatives, the Premier proceeded to explain the course which the Government intended adopting with regard to the Native Landi Court Bill. Having detailed the reasons which had actuated the Ministry in introducing the measure, he said it was quite evident that a large number of the Government supporters were not favourable to the Bill. The Ministry had therefore decided to ask the House to allow the Bill to be dischared from the Order Paper. He would next day move for to introduce a Bdl to prevent all purchase of native lands by private individuals until the end of next session.

Some considerable time having been exdended over discussions upon points of order, a lengthy debate tot.lv place on the merits of Bill, the motion of the Premier re-opening the whole question. Mr. Luslc led ofi' with a tolerably lengthy speech, and moved the addition of the following words to the Premier's motion for the discharge of the order of the day : "To enable the Government to give effect to amendment of the lion, member for Rangitikei." Mr. Sutton followed, and denied that the Bill afforded an opportunity for monopolists to obtain native land. The usual dinner adjournment took place before Mr. Sutton had concluded his remarks.

On the House resuming, the debate on the Native Lands Court Bill was continued, and was kept going until nearly one o'clock this morning. Mr. Sutton resumed his remarks, and said he could not support Mr. Ballauce's amendment, as it would not effect the object in view. Mr. Fox spoke at length, strongly defending the course proposed by the Government, and said the Bill would individualise the native title to land. That was what was asked for last session. The Bill was a great improvement on the Act of 1873. The Chief Judge, however, had too much power given to him. He thought they snould throw more responsibility on the natives themselves. He expressed the opinion that all legislation should be suspended till it was ascertained what the natives really desired, but they must prevent the Act of 1873 coming into force, or every acre in the North Island would go. Messrs. Gisborne, Travers, Thomson, and Rees strongly condemned the action of the Government in the matter and for the way in which thd Bill had been drawn, in long and warm speeches. Captain Morris, Sir R. Dougla*, and Captain Russell took the opposite view, the latter warmly defending Mr. Ormond from the attack made by Mr. Rees regarding land transactions. Sir R. Douglas, who urged delay, moved an amendment to leave out the words " during this session." Takamoana moved theyaejpurnment of the debate. ■

The Government insisted that it should be resumed at 7.30 on Thursday, and carried the point by 36 against 26.