PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3684, 20 August 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(PKB PBEBB ASSOCIATION.) HOUSE 01? REPRESENTATIVES Wellington, Thursday. WEST COAST SETTLEMENT BILL, On the House meeting at 7.30 Mr Bbyob moved the second reading of the West Coaßt Settlement (North Island) Bill. He said it was framed on the admirable report of tho Commission. The policy of tho Government was to deal iirrnly but kindly with tho natives-to do them full justice, but to show them that the law must bo upheld, and peace be maintained. The most ample roserves would be made, and Government hoped soon to see the remainder of the land sold and settled on. Sir Geo. Geey warmly eulogised the report of the Native Commissioners, and regretted that the bill was only permissive. It should, he thought, have absolutely pledped the faith of the colony to the, Carrying out in its fullest entirety

the just and righteous award of the Commissioners carrying this out to the full was the true way to preserve peace. The latter part of the bill should, he thought, be made a separate measure. Thebill should be a charter of right to the natives, and havo no pennl clauses. If Government would so divide the bill he* would givo the Government, every support in obtaining all the necessary power to punish offences, Ho thought that the words " carrying out tho award of the Commissioners" should be inserted. These words were objeoted to as out of ordor, and were withdrawn as partly oxprossing general approval of tho bill. Mr Moss, in tho interost of justice, honour, and mercy, protested against the bill, and the policy of the Government. Mr Macandbew thought the bill unworthy of freemen or Englishmen, and that future historians would regard its polioy as on a par with that of tho massacre of Glencoe. Tainui approved of the report of tho Commissioners, but objected to tho penal clauses of tho bill, Mr Beadkb Wood agreed fully with the. report, and generally with the bill. Debate proceeding.

In the House last night the ostimalos were gone through without much alteration. The principle dispute was on tho item Class B, Innd purchasos North Island voto, chief office, Wellington, £120,622. — Mr Montgomkby asked Government to say if they intended to go on with theso purchases, or whether thoy would try and withdraw from them as soon as possible. —Mr Bbyce replied that it would he desirablo to Ret out of a good many of these bargains, but a number would have to bo carried out. He did not wish it to be understood that Government intended to complete all these negotiations—Mr Montgomebt condomnod Government for entering into whiok would entail expenditure of a million of money without the sanction of the House.— Mr Macandbew, as a mombor of the late Government, repudiated the whole thing, and did not look upon it as a liability. The Government was not called upon to take the land at all, unless they desired to do so.—Mr Bbyoe looked upon it as an engagement, and consequently as a liability. Government had entered into a solemn contract with the natives, which ought to be fulfilled.-Mr Macandbew said there had been no authority to enter into new engagements, which have been done, and surely the colony could not be bound by suoh a transaction.—Mr Balunoe desired to know more particulars about these land purchases, and how far the voto was likely to go.— Mr Whitakbb-, deprecated the idea <of repudiating bargains entered into with the natives. If they had agreed to pay them so much an acre, they must do so, unless honourably released with the consent of the natives.—Mr TrjßNßUiiii considered that the native bills should have been brought down before the vote was brought forward.~-Sir Geo. Gray moved the adjournment of the vote until the late Native Minister was present.—Mr Bbyoe did not see the necessity for Mr Sheehan being present, and insisted on the pro priety of the vote being disposed of.— Item passed.