HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Southland Times, Issue 9540, 9 June 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Koileston gave notice to move tomorrow that tho oxercise of the prerogative of dissolution under the system of triennial Parliaments is fraught with great danger to tbe independence of Parlia-^ tnent and the successful workiDg of the' representative institutions. Toe Weat Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Mr Ballanco said be intended to move for the recommittal of the Bill in order to insert a clause empowering tbe natives themselves to elect native assessors on behalf of the native owners. Mr Taipua urged that further consideration of this Bill be postponed till noxt session owing to the confusion that existed and tie trouble that bad been caused by the present Government in legislating for the Maori people. Mr Locke supported the views of the native members on this Bill and said that at the end of tbe session it could not receive proper consideration. It was quite time tbe whole question of native lands w< re taken up and put in proper form to avoi 1 tbe confusion that at present exists on the subject. Dr Newman said the Bill should not be passed in its present form unless Mr Ballance brought in a clause to prevent the wholesale depreciation of tbe property of the native ptople. Mr Samuel hoped the House would not continue its opposition to this Bill, as it was only a matter of justice to the settlers concerned. Mr Katene said Mr Sitnuel was speaking for the btDifit of tbe Tarunaki aettlerp, and was not therefore impartial. He thought it was very unlikely these settlers would abandon their land if tbis Bill were postponed till nsxt seasion, If, of necflsaity, Mr Billanee were forced to resign ha" (Mr Katene) might ba made Native Miainler hitH3elf, and then he could have brought in a better Bill than the present Minister. A new claus9 was added to the Bill allowing transfers or assignments of leases to be made with the consent of the lessor. A further clause was added to the Bill enabling the Public Trustee to grant a lease ot 560 acros to J. S. Caverhill, of Hawera. Mr Samnel moved a new clause permittiag a yeraoa who bad surrendered bis lease to take up a new leaae. He said thi* was a moat neceesary provision. Hi Billaocasaid this would be giving a dangerous power but he was willing to take the opinion of tbe committee on it. After funh-jr discussion Mr Ballance agreed to report progress to allow a fresh clau-e to be conßiderod by tbe native members. Mr Wi Per 9 said that if this clause were pasted all tl>e Europeans would abandon their leases in the hope of getting fr&6h ones. He ua-J no objection to this clause if tha land were dealt with by public anction. — Progress was reported on the Bill for half an hour. Sir J Yogel moved tho second reading of the S>uth Wand Native R-iseives Act Amendment 811 He explained the object of tbe Bill, whiuh was to provide for the management of native reserves in the South Island ; to render more clear the regulatioua applying to the leading of the Grjymoutb R-aerves ; to deal with renewals ot leaßt a of the Moluska reserve, and to bring Native reserves under the Mining Act so as to provide for exploration for raining; purposes. Mr Pratt o.hjaeted to tbe Bill, and presented a petition from Mr Taiaroa against Messrs Hurslhouse, SeddoD, and Guinnees strongly supported the Bill. The former said Mr Piatt was not acting in the interests of the Natives he .was sent to represent by- opposing it. He explained the position of the Motucka reserves- at some length, and said there was urgeat necessity for tbo Bili beiDg passed. Mr Turntu'l said Mr Pratt's request for tho postponement of the Bill was a reasonable- one, and be hoped it would be de* ferred till tomorrow, S.r J. Yogel having briefly replied the motion for tbe second reading was carried by 30 to 20. Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7 30 p.m. The amendments made by the Council in the Government Loans to Local Bodies Amend menf, and Interpretation Act Amendment Bills were agreed to. Ou tbo motion to go into committee on the. South hhwi Native Reserves $11, Mr

f Pratt protested against the attempt to force measures affecting the interests of the colony tbrongb the House in this way, and announced his intention of oppoaing it by all constitutional means. There was no reason wby the Bill conld. not stand over for tbf.ee months. Mr Rolleston supported Mr Pralt's view*. Mr Hurathouse said neither oJMtoeM knew what they were talking abdat. The Bill was the outcome of the reports of commissioners appointed by the House, and waa designed to relieve an oppressed cpnntry. Borne, of the leases had already,, expired and legislation, was urgently needed before the reserves could be re:let. " ': Messrs Turnbnll and 'Ormond suggested that 'short bills should be brought in JtoK Validate the leases for three month*, rv^)? \ The Treasurer said the cbier; opposition ;■ was to the portion of the Bill relating, to the Greymouth reserves, and he was will-j : ing to go on with those portions which^were not contested.. Mr Guinness objected. An injustice had been perpetrated under the original Act, and this Bill sought to remedy it. He claimed equal justice for Europeans and Maoris. ■ Sir G. Grey suggested that the Motueka . clauses should be passed and the Greymouth portion left; over till next session. Messrs Wi Pere ,and Taipua urged the withdrawal of the Bill as it had not been circulated loog enough to enable them to _ grasp its provisions. . ' . ', . -