SATURDAY, AUGUST 20.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 25

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20.

Ministers have of late been in the habit of supplying some of their followeis with reams of figures to be used in their speeches, and these are often read out in parrot-like style by speakers who apparently have but little comprehension of their import. Not only does this happen, but long tables of figures that have never been used at all, in some mysterious and unaccountable manner, occasionally find their way into Hansard. This practice was thoroughly exposed by Mr Fraser, the member for Wakatipu, in his speech. He said there was one thing the Opposition could not do that the Government could do. It was not so easy for them to get into Hansard tables x 'iat were never read. (Cries of "Oh !" and " Who does that?") Mr Tanner: "See the last number of Hansard." Mr Fraser: "I refer to the last number of Hansard. There are pages of figures there that I am sure nine-tenths of the members will bear me ojit in saying were never read in this House." Mi Tanner: "It ought not to be allowed to anybody." (Cries of " Hear, hear.") Mr Fraser: "I quite agree with the hon. gentleman; it certainly ought not to be allowed." INDIGNATION OF MEMBERS. There is a strong feeling in certain quarters regarding the action of some Government supporters in putting into Hansard these long and elaborate tables, which have never been read in the House, and it is probable that the matter will be brought under the notice of the Speaker and Parliament in a day or two. These tables have, it is said, been prepared by Governmem officials, and have been compiled and placed on record with the object of supporting or emphasing the peculiar phases of finance upon which the Government have been laying special stress. One of these tables covers a whole page of Hansard. If all that is said about this matter is true, Hansard will soon be quite valueless as an actual record of the proceedings of 7 D arliamcnt. j THE LIQUOR BILL. It is now evident that there is very little hope for Mr Millar's Liquor Bill, which stands adjourned until Wednesday next. The financial debate will not have finished by that time, and unless Mr Seddon is prepared to give another day for private members' bills, which is not liKely at this late period of the session, the bill is doomed. It remains to be seen whether the Government will take the matter up and adopt Mr Millar's proposals ii a Ministerial measure. MR VAILE'S STAGE SYSTEM. I understand that Mr Vaile feels keenly the scant courtesy which he has received at the hands of the Premier and the Legislature. The Railways Committee of the House declined to hear him, and the Public Petitions Committee of the Council has taken up the same atti- | tude. The Council as a whole was then appealed to, and on a division the action of the Petitions Committee was upheld. I am told that the Premier has even declined to grant Mr Vaile an interview. I understand that Mr Vaile intends to appeal from Parliament to j the people I

J NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION. That the Premier* proposed Native Jand legislation does not ple**o overyonc WM'ihov/n to-night when Mr Field, on* of hie own parly, told him plainly that he objected to the bill altogether. Mr Field's viewe en this question are of considerable v«,lue, as he is well acquainted with the Native* and their ways. He states that the jjreat bulk of the Maori lands are held by a few families, and while the Natives themselves are & decreasing quantity thoir lauds ara an increasing quantity as far ac value is concerned. In the course of time these lands will get into the hands -of a very few Maori landlords. Th.ii, Mr Field contends, in not doßirable. Tho proposed legislation would be bad for the present generation of Natives, as nearly all the revenue would for conic time be absorbed in expense?, but the next generation may be bei-efitod. The Government should buy the land from the Maoris at a fair value, and set apart some of the purchase money to keep them from destitution. Mr Hunter also thinks that the time has not come when the purchase of Native land for purposes of eettlement should cease. Where the Natives are Avilling to sell and the land is held in unprofitable occupation the State should, he thinks, buy at a reasonable price. The southern Natives, too, are, it appears, dissatisfied with the Premier's proposals, a.nd have forwarded a petition praying that tlie suggested legislation may not apply to the South Island Na tives. as they are quite able to manage theii own lands.