NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 2426, 8 July 1876, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July s.— The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Imprest Supply Bill passed without discussion. The delivery of the Financial Statement occupied two hours and a half. Upon the Premier moving in conclusion that a resolution.be passed that night for increasing tbe price of the waste lands of the Crown to a sum not exceeding two pouuda per acre, Sir Georgo Grey protested against the resolution as unfair in being upon them hastily, and moved an amendment. Other amendments were also mov«d. Ultimately the Premier accepted the amendment by Mr. Bastings, to tho effect that the resolution should not apply to lands leased or sold on deferred payments, and this was carried on the voices. The House adjourned at 3.15 a.m. Wednesday, July s.— The House resumed at 7.80 p.m. Sir G. Grey's motion, that the House ask the Governor to cause £400 to be placed on tho Estimates for nn essay on grasses and forage plants likely to prove useful in New Zealand, was agreed to without a dissenting voice. Tho Premier moved the second reading of the Registration of Electors Act 1875 Repeal Bill. Owiug to defects in the Act, considerable discussion arose as to its interpretation, and a great many ratepayers had been struck off the Roll in consequence in several parts of the Colony. It was therefore thought belter to strike it off tho statute book at onco. This led to long discussion. The majority, while agreeing that the Act contained many imperfections, and had been mischievous in effect, the principle was still good, and it would be a pity to repeal it unless a more maturely considered measure was brought down in its place. After a long discussion the Bill was read on the understanding that amendments should be introduced and consideration postponed for a fortnight. The House adjourned at 9.30 p.m. Thursday, July 6.— The business was of little geueral interest excepting a debate on native affairs raided by Sir George Grey moviug for all correspondence in connection with the endeavour to apprehend Winiata, the murderer. Sir George Grey impugned tho course taken by the Native Minister, and intimated that it was he (Grey) who should have negotiated with Tawhiao. The debate was carried on with vigour until the Houee rose at 5.30 p.m. Sir D. McLean and Major Atkinson replied ! with earnestness and to the point. Shortly after the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., the debate on Sir G. Grey's motion was continued, and wns conducted with some warmth ; tho supporters of Sir Jt>. McLean's motion, and of the present policy, looking at the turn the debate had taken as an attempt to censure the present administration of native 'affairs. The speeches generally embraced the policy as a whole, instead of merely tho object of the motion, regarding which nothing was said, the papers called for having been laid upon the tablo before the debate commenced. Those who couourred iv the remarks of Sir George Grey generally looked upon tho management of native affairs ns a useless waste of money, and, to use a colloquial terni, a humbug ; that it would have been better for the Colony in thclongrun if wo hud conquered a peace aud nindu the Maoris respect us, and have placed them in the same position, as regards the laws of tho laud, that Europeans aro in. Those who approved of the pie ent policy contended that a six mouths' war would have coat more thau all tho Native Minister had

speut, and tLat if the Colony hnd attrinptH to conquer a pence it would lm\«j failed, it~ credit been ruined, iiucl public works Mill have beeu. uncommenced. After n gn*at ilen l of talk on both aides, the motiou was agreed to. Some formal business was transacted, and the Houso adjourned at 10.15 p.m.