THE UPPER HOUSE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17957, 8 December 1932, Page 11

THE UPPER HOUSE

PUGOEDURE CRITICISED NO PROPER CONSIDERATION (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Speaking oil the second reading of the Native Land Amendment- Bill in the Legislative Council to-day, Sir Francis Bull deplored the fact that the Council did not have sufficient time to study tho measure adequately. There was no suggestion that it was urgent, and if its passage had been delayed until January “we might he able to study the, bill and suggest to even so wise a Government something out of our ignorance that might be worthy of its temporary consideration,” said Sir Francis. “We are not being given a chance of even exposing our ignorance.”

He added that apparently tho Council was willing to accept anything without consideration. The procedure being adopted was bringing the character of the Council into contempt. The Hon. R. Masters said that as tho hill had been sent to the Native Affairs Committee at Sir Francis Bell’s request, it was hardly fair to say that the Council was preparing to accept tho mea.Tire without _ (consideration. .The principles of the bill were based on the findings' of the National Expenditure Commission, which had gone thoroughly into I lie question, The measure was a step forward in native administration. lhe bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. The Property Law Amendment Bill also was put through the remaining stages and passed.