House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1056, 30 June 1880, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. The Representatives Bill was introduced by Mr. Hall, and read a first time. The second reading is fixed for Thursday week. Mr. Speight resumed the No Confidence debate, speaking strongly against the financial proposals of the Govern ment. Mr. Fulton commenced speaking on the other side, when he was interrupted by the adjournment nt 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Fulton continued his remarks, expressing regret that Ministers had not stood firmly to their proposals, as originally made. Major Te Wheoro argued that a medium form of taxation should be first imposed, until the people became better acquainted with the process, when they might increase the amount. By that means they would serve their purpose and keep the population from leaving the Colony. He deprecated the expenditure incurred in detaining the Maories in prison, and in keeping up a large body of Armed Constabulary on the West Coast. Mr. Gibbs spoke in favor of the Government proposals. Mr. Tainui said the tax on Native lands would entail great hardship on Natives, and when the Bill for that purpose was brought down he would do his best to get it thrown out. Mr. Andrews spoke against the Property Tax, and in favor of a Land Tax. Retrenchment was absolutely necessary, and it was monstrous under the present circumstances to propose to increase salaries to the Speaker, Chairman of Committees, and Clerk of Parliament. Then, again, why should they have a Sergeaut-at-Arms at .£250 a year ] If they must have such an officer, they could have a better man at a fifth of the cost. Of what use was he 1 Wh}', if the Speaker were to order him (Andrews) to be taken into custody, Sergeant-at-Arms could not do it, for he (Andrews) would simply run away with the Sergeant-at-Arms. He admitted thoy had to face taxation, but before imposing it they were bound to reduce their own expenditure. Mr. All wright said he had had some experience of what was known as the great Liberal Party, and he had arrived at the conclusion that the followers of the present Government were the only true Liberals. Mr. McLean spoke in defence of the Government proposals, when the House adjourned at 12.30, There is some talk of a reconstruction of the Ministry, in whioh case Messrs. Bryce, Dick, and Oliver would retire. It is stated that a strong effort will be made to hold the next session of Parliament in Chrisrchurch. Mr. Allan McDonald's Native Law Suits Bill is just issued. It empowers the Governor in Council to appoint a Judge of tho Supreme Court, who

shall have jurisdiction to try all cases of dispute between Europeans and Maories in regard to rights and titles of land on the East Coast. All suits at present being carried on may be continued or completed under the new Act upon application. The Act is to be in force two years, and beyond that only for concluding pending business. It is stated the Government intend at once resuming the survey of the Waimate Plains, which was stopped by the Natives during last administration.