HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1502, 28 August 1880, Page 13

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, 18th August, committee of supply. The discussion on the vete "Land purchases In the North Island, L 120.622," was continued. At 2 a.m. the Chairman was so exhausted that Colonel Trimble had to take his place. The vote was afterwards passed as printed. Class 12.— Contingent Defence, L 140.000.— Passed without dissent. Clabs B.— Telegraph Extension, L 43.57 7105. — Passed without dissent. Class I.— lmmigration, L 26.984 13s, was reduced by Llooo.' .. Class, 7.— Waterworks on Goldfields, L 26,716. —Passed. Class 9. — Miscellaneous Public Works, L 129178 9s 9d.— On the motion that it be reduced L2OOO, the Committee divided— ayes, 9 j noes, 21. The item therefore passed as printed. Class 10.— Lighthouse, L4sso.— Passed. Class 13 —Charges and expenses oh raising loans, L 189,430 19a 9d.— Passed without dissent. Class 9.— Public Buildings : The vote Judicial, L 61.429, passed as printed.— On the vote Postal and telegraph, L 11.025, the Premier agreed to reduce by L 550. — Ca3tomß, L 90 0; lunatic asylums, L 55,500; hospitals, L4OOO, were passed; as was also school buildings, L 106.031 17s lOd. . At 4.30 a.m. progress was reported, and the House adjourned till 7.30 p.m.

Thursday, 19th August. twest 00a8t settlement bill. The Hon. Mr BRYCE moved the second t, reading of the West Coast Settlement (North Island) Bill. Tbe report of the Commission had no doubt been read by all. But for that fact he would have gone more fully into the circumstances calling for this measure. The West Coast problem waa one of much difficulty, and, one' that had lasted for a considerable time, and had beeen steadily growing. He was not going to inquire as to who was responsible for the difficulty! It was one that at all events the present Government were not responsible for. They found it ready made, and as that they bad to deal with it. It was responsible for the appointment of the Commission, for three better men could not have been found to do the work. An hon. member said " two," but he said three, because the Government named three although two only acted. He was very cony indeed to see the third gentleman retire. It was tbe object of the Government (Ist) to satisfy the Natives that their just claims would be fully recognised j and 2nd, to convince the Natives that the authority of law must be established on the Coast. The Commission devoted itself to the work to do justice to all parties concerned, a fact abundantly evident by their report. t They had made many important recommendations, these recommendations pointing to a reasonable solution of the difficulty. Tbesimpleobject of the Go. vernment was to deal with the difficulty in such a way as that it would not break out again in future years to the prejudice of the body politic. It^had been said that they, were adopting the policy of their predecessors. He was content t° do so, so long as the course proposed was likely to achieve the purpose aimed at. So far from jealousy, he was prepared if necessary to take advice from his predecessor in office, or from any other person who was at all likely to tender valuable assistance. Tbere was only pno imode of oettling the difl&Qttlty-fiwt

by setting apart land to satisfy the just claims of the Maoris, which should be recognised. At the same time it was fully determined that they should be made to feel that they would be dealt with firmly. The Government had opened the district by a road, and cut a number of traoks so as to intersect the district. These proceedings, he thought, had already had the effect of convincing the Maoris that it was the full intention of the Government to settle the district, while at the same time to them and their claims ample justice would be done. It was the intention of the Government in a very, short time to advertise a considerable portion of the land for sale. At thp same time they would take care to cut out ample reserves bo as to reserve for the Maoris, not only their cultivations, but likewise the land to which they attached special value. The Government thought the land regulations at present in force sufficient to settle the district— their great aim was to promote a close settlement on the land. , The Government thought the settlers must be defended, therefore they rejected the proposal for planting the district with military settlers. If the Maoris were so ill-advised as to interfere with the settlers, then they must be punished. A settler could not at the same time be a soldier. It had also been suggested that the unemployed should be placed on the land. The Government, however, rejected that proposal, as to some extent demoralising. These men would rely on the Government, and not on what they could make of their land. Care would be taken not to irritate the Maoris. Although their direct acquiescence could not be secured, he thought nevertheless an indirect acquiescence would be secured. In fact, they had already to Borne extent secured that acquiescence, The Government wasqufte as unwilling to go to war as he believed the Maoris themselves were, and anything in reason that would prevent warfare ought to be done. He believed, however, they would be able to avoid war ; for if the Natives had any deßire for war, it was not likely they would allow their moßt warlike brethren to be apprehended. If they only managed a few first steps in peace and quietude, he believed the remainder of the work would be comparatively easy. It was proposed to make a new land district, placed directly under the control of the Government instead of under^ a land board. The reason was to avoid complications. It was an exceptional proposal, but then the circumstances were exceptional. It was necessary the Government should have very large powers. Without such it would be absurd for any Government to undertake the work. After a discussion of some length, Colonel TRIMBLE moved the adjournment of the debate, and the motion was carried.

Friday, 20th August. The Speaker took the chair at 11 o'clock. The House went into Committee on the Wellington Racing Club Bill. The motion for the Chairman leaving the chair was put and carried. The bill was consequently shelved. On the order for committing the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, Mr SUTTON moved that it be read that day six months.

The motion was lost, the bill was committed and reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. ' ' The CaverAam Boroughs Incorporation Bill was read a Becond time, passed through Committee, read a third time, and passed. ' The Port Chalmers DrilUhed Bill was also read a third time and passed. The House then adjourned. Afternoon Sitting. The House resumed at 3 o'clock. QUESTIONS.

In answer <to Mr Wright, who asked the Colonial Secretaryjwhether he is aware that he is paying a Colonial insurance office 26a 3d per LIOO for the insurance of Government House, while a foreign office offered to undertake the risk for 12s 6d per LIOO, Tbe Hon. the MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS replied in the negative, and stated that the information of the hon. gentleman was altogether incorrect. They would not encourage local industries at such a loss to the Colony. Replying to Mr Fulton, The Hon. the PREMIER stated that the question of an improvement in the law of divorce would be considered by the Law Commission, and probably a bill introduced into the House on the subject next session. In reply to a question by Mr Pyke as to the condition of the piles which were being driven into the river at the Rangitata Bridge in 1878, The Hon. the MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS stated that he had found a memorandum from his predecessor in office (the hon. member for Port Chalmers) to the effect that there was no reason to suppose that the conditions of the contract had not been thoroughly carried out. Mr WRIGHT, as the contractor in question, wonld like to say a few words. ( He had built bridges in the aggregate averaging some seven miles in length. The bridges at Rangitata south and Rangitata north were each 2000 ft long, and every bit of the work had been scrutinised carefully before it was passed. The piles, however, had been scoured away during the heavy floods of 1878 pervading over the whole of the upper portion of the Province of Canterbury. In answer to Mr Rseves, The Hon. the PREMIER said the Government did not at present think of establishing a Royal Mint in New Zealand. Mr PYKE asked the Government — (1) Whether they are aware that the railway line from Oxford to Malvern (Sheffield), recommended by the Railway Commissioners, is a mere pretext, committing the Colony to building a line from Oxford to Temuka; (2) whether such railway will be of any public benefit, and to what extent ; (3) whether the proposed line of railway passes through the estates of the Hon. John Hall, tbe Premier, and of Mr Wright, a member of the Railway Commission. In asking the question, Mr Pyke said he was not quite sure what it was that had vexed the Premier on the previous day, but if it was the form of the question he would slightly alter it and leave out the word " pretext " in the first part of the question. He would ask whether the construction of the line from Oxford to Malvern would' result in the making of the line from Oxford to Temuka. He would ask the question in that way, to remove any feeling there might be on the subject. He put the other questions as they Btnod unon tbe paper. The Hon. the MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS said the first part of the question would open up debateable matter. With regard to the second part of, the question, he would answer in the negative. Tne Government was not aware that it was a Mere pretext that would commit the Colony to the line from Oxford to Temuka. The section from Oxford to Malvern would be a most useful one, and had been recommended by the Commission. No person on the Commission had property on the line of that railway. The third part of the question was put in such a way as to make it very doubtful which of the lines it meant. The line was commenced some years before the present Ministry took, office, and abandoned

sinca they came into offica, and he could assure the hon. gentleman that neither of the gentlemen interested had property in the neighbourhood of the line at present under considera. tion.

NEW BILLS. The following new bills were introduced and read a first time :— Hon. Major Atkinson— The Stamp Fee Bill ; a Bill to Alter the Duties of Customs. (In Committee.)— The Stamp Act Amendment Bill. (In Committee.)— Hon. W. Rolleston— The Special Powers and Contracts Bill. (In Committee.)

Evening Sitting, native land sales bill. The debate was then resumed on the West Coast Bill, adjourned from the previous evening, Colonel TRIMBLE would content himself with Baying he entirely agreed with the bill as it stood, and he thought it was only right for him, on behalf of the people he represented, to thank the gentlemen who had formed the Commission for the great pains and trouble they had taken in preparing their report. Mr TOMOANA said he could not form a clear idea as to what was in the reports of the Royal Commission ; they had never been translated, and he had no means of being made fully acquainted with their contents. He had not agreed with the Maoris being taken into custody, and had protested againßt it. He objected to the present bill mixing up the report of the Native Commission. With regard to the prisoners in custody, he was strongly of opinion that they ought to be released. The wives and families of these people were left at home wholly uncared for, which could not but lead to very evil results. He did not wish to speak in favour of Te Whiti; on the contrary, he condemned his conduct and that of his following. The Hon. W. GISBORNE thought the Commissioners had made one mistake. They should themselves have gone to Parihaka, and personally have interviewed Te Whiti. Such a course would have been of the utmost benefit to tbe country. He believed the Commissioners themselves were willing to do so, but that the Government used their influence to prevent it. With regard to the bill under dißcusßion, the honourable gentleman Bpoke in favour of its necessity, and of the necessity of giving the Government at the present time some special powers. At the same time he hoped the Government would be exceedingly cautious, so that they would not precipitate a war with the Natives, which would be of a most disastrous character.

Sir WILLIAM FOX begged to. express the pleasure which he and his brother Commissioner felt at the manner in which their report had been received. They also felt thankful to the Government for the great confidence which they had placed in them, and which had enabled them to bring their labours to a successful close. He likewise desired to express his thanks to the honourable member for the Thames for the manner in which he had spoken of the Commission; and also to the Press throughout the country, which had recognised the value of their work when it waß done. He sincerely trusted the Government would carry out the recommendations of the report, and he felt sure they would do bo to a successful issue. He was desirous to say a word on a remark which had fallen from their colleague, Mr Mohi TtywhaL He seemed to think the Europeans bad no right to confiscate at the present time, or indeed after 1865. The .Government bad power to confiscate the land by proclamation. This they had done, and it belonged to vi for all time, whether we took possession of it or not; but as a matter of fact they had taken possession of portions of the land, whioh was equivalent to taking possession of the whole. On this subject Mr Tawhai had a misunderstanding, which seemed to be shared by t the Natives of the West Coast. The Commissioners, in one or two quarters, had been charged with exceeding their powers, and had placed the Government of the country in a predicament by letting the public know what their decision was by the publication of their report. But if the Governor's commission were examined it would be found that they had in no way exceeded their instructions. By their commission they were especially asked to give their opinion on the whole subject, based on the fullest inquiry. There was not an opinion they had formed which was not' based on absolute facts, after the most careful consideration. In the words of their greatest English poet, theyhaddetermined when they entered upon the Commission to "tell a plain unvarnished tale, nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice."—(Applause.) The Hon. Mr BRYCE eaid it was a matter of gratification to him that so much commendation had been thrown upon the Commission, and to a certain extent upon ths Government, for the selection they had made.— (Applause, and cries of "No, no.") He did sot know whether Sir George Grey had intended to praise the Government, but he had undoubtedly done bo in tbe course of his remarks. The hon. gentleman at some length proceeded to criticise the speeches which had been made adversely to the bill. Te Whiti was not doing this thing to test the question before our courts of law, it was to try and show New Zealand that he held held himself above the Parliament and the people both — that he was above all men. The motion for the second reading was then agreed to on the voices. The Speaker then left the chair, and the House went into Committee on the bill.

On the third clauße being read, Mr PYKE protested against the Act again. He held it to be entirely opposed to every feeling of freedom with which an Englishman ought to be imbued. Members opposed to the bill, and who had any regard for their own character, ought to walk out of the House and allow Ministers to carry out their wickedness without contradiction. If they did that they would do what would be considered right and just by future generations. Mr MOSS said Te.Whiti waa a remarkably clever man, and selected his young men for fencing purposes from all parts of the Colony, so that the Natives of New Zealand, from one end to the other, would lose every feeling of faith or justice in the English people. The following are the subsections which caused the main discussion of the evening :—

" Any person who wilfully and unlawfully obstructs any person authorised by the Governor to do or perform any act or thing in pursuance of this Act, or for the purpose of carrying out the provisions thereof. 11 Any person who wilfully and unlawfully cuts down, breaks, removes, or destroys any building, bridge, fence, survey-pegs ; or stations, or.otber erection whereby the public peace may be endangered. " Any person who wilfully and unlawfully digs up, ploughs, breaks, or disturbs the surface of any land, wbereby the lawful occupation thereof is obstructed or impeded. " Any person who unlawfully erects . any fence or building on any land, or commits thereon any other act whereby the lawful occupation of such land may be obstructed or impeded. "Any person who wilfully and unlawfully digs up, breaks, removes, or destroys the surface of any road whioh the Governor, by notice in the Gazette, has declared to be a highway, or places or causes to be placed thereon ny obstruction, with a view of

hindering or impeding f ,the free use of such road or highway wholly or in part by her Majesty's subjects. " Any persons who assemble together, armed or unarmed, or with or without tools or implements, for any of the purposes or objects aforesaid, or are present at the commission of any such offences or acts as aforesaid for the purpose of aiding, assisting, or countenancing the commission of any such acts or offences as aforesaid, or may reasonably be suspected to be present for all or any of such purposes or objects." Mr MONTGOMERY said the Act as it stood gave power to imprison a Maori for two years simply if he was suspected, which he held was altogether unconstitutional.

Mr MOHI TA WHAI moved that in the 6th subsection, the words "or unarmed " be struck out.

The motion was negatived. Considerable discussion took place on this sub-section, it being moved that the words ",,or may reasonably be suspected to be present," and to the end of the sentence be omitted. The motion was lost on a division by 37 to 26. In clause 7 the words, "who commitß," were inserted in lieu of the words, " who has committed." Clause 8 was passed without amendment. Mr BALLANCE moved an additional clause as follows :— Clauses 6 and 7 of this Act shall continue in force for five years after the expiration of the present Parliament, aud no longer. On the motion of Major TE WHEORO, the word " three" was substituted for the word " five." The bill was then reported, with Blight amendments, which, on the motion of the NATIVE MINISTER, were agreed to. On the motion for the third reading, several members expressed their strong disapprobation of the measure.

Mr MONTGOMERY spoke a few words in favour of military settlements, and giving such settlers small farms, on condition that they occupied them for a certain number of years. Ultimately the bill was read a third time and passed, and the House adjourned at 1.15 a.m.

(Per Press Association Special Wise.) Monday, 23rd August, r Mobning Sitting. The House met today at 11 a.m. SECOND BEADING. The Speoial Powers and Contracts Bill was read a second time. The Hon. W. ROLLESTON moved the second reading of the Debtors and Creditors Bill It was intended, he said, to carry # out the recommendations of the Joint Committee of both Houses. On the motion for going into Committee on this bill, Mr BAIN and others objected to tinkering the bankruptcy law in this way, and urged that the bill should be withdrawn till the whole subject could be considered and dealt with. The motion for going into Committee was lost on a divison by 30 to 24. BILL WITHDRAWN. The Impounding Bill was withdrawn. OTAGO BOAT) BATES VALIDITY BILL. The amendments made by the Legislative in the Otago Road Rates Validity Bill were agreed to.

FENCING BILL. The House went into Committee on the encing Bill The Hon. J. HALL moved amendments o make the bill optional instead of compulory, so as to require a requisition from a local body before it came into operation in any district. After considerable discussion pMgroßa was) reported. The House rose till 2.30 p.m.