PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1041, 16 June 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Special to the Herald. ] Wellington, 3 p.m Legislative Council. The Council met yesterday at 2.30.. The Hon. Mr. Wilson tabled a resolution declaring the opinion of the Council that the Commissioners of the Peace be purged of insolvents and other unsuitable persons. The Gaming and Lotteries Bill was read a second time. The Hon. Mr. Whitaker gave notice of a new clause prohibiting the use of totalisators except by responsible racing clubs. The Council adjourned at 3.5. House of Representatives. The House met at 3.30. Replying to Mr. Moss, the Premier said the ad interim report of, the Civil Service Commission would be laid before House in the course of a week. Replying to Dr. Wallis, the Hon. Mr. Bryce said the Government desired to secure the country about the Hot Springs at Rotomahana and and Rotorua, but the natives were opposed to parting with the land. The debate on the Financial Statement was postponed in consequence of the papers re inscription of the five million loan having only been laid on the table that afternoon. The House went into committee on the Regulation of Elections Bill,

tnit before any progress made, it rx»e for the 5.30 adjournment. „ The House resumed at 7.3fr." » '. The Hon. Mr. !Bryce.|ttiaved the second reading M the Wa^Ve ,diU|os Sales Bill, and 1 inib the history of what- had been done in respect of dealing with Native lands from the Treaty .of \Vaitangi to the present > time.- He denounced the Government land purchase system as iniquitous and demoralising. Part of the system was to supply private land purchase agents with vouchers signed in blank, wh^ch. the agents filled up to suit circumstances ; the consequence was' that all manner of improper expenditure was charged to the land purchase fund. If a Maori wanted rum or anything else, it was charged to that fund, and in fact the rule was that any doubtful payment was charged to that fund. The sum of LI 200, paid for the great Maori meeting at Waitara,. was provided foxby three Maories signing receipts as on account of land purchases from them, when in fact they had not an inch of |land to sell and had not received any money at all. The sum of L 77 for spirits, consumed at the twngi on Judge Young, was charged to the land purchases by the brother of Judge Young. On the West Coast one agent had made advances on a block of land estimated at 80,000 acres, which was found, when surveyed, to contain only 7,000 acres ; and so the money advanced far exceeded the value of the land. Another objectionable feature was that the agents were allowed to have land transactions for themselves and others. The consequence was that the Government got all the poor .land, and the agents and their friends got all the good land. This 1 system must cease, and must be replaced by | one more suitable, and that one he thought the Bill provided for. He then explained the principal provisions' of the Bill, the most prominent being that Maories might place their land m the hands of the- Waste Land Boards., and. the Boards would be ! empowered to make advances within certain limits. • : Major Te Wheoro moved the adjournment of the debate. The motion was supported by Messrs. Macandrew, Hamlin, Gisborne, Lundon and others. Sir George Grey said that as an attack had bee:i made on the late Native Minister's administration it was only fair that the debate should not proceed until he was present. Adjournment of debate agreed to. The Native Reserves Bill was withdrawn. The Pharmacy Bill was considered in committee and ordered to be further considered on Friday. The House adjourned at 11.30. It is believed that the Opposition are waiting a favorable opportunity, and when ready for the attack, will place Mr, Ballance in leadership. But seemingly Sir George Grey is really the only moving spring. It is said that Sir George Grey and Mr. Ballance have made up their little differences, and will now work harmoniously together, ':•