AFTERNOON SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4414, 17 June 1882, Page 3

AFTERNOON SITTING.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUBSTIONS. Beplying to Mr Allwright, the Hon W. Johnston said he would consider the propriety of giving effect to the recommendation of tho Bailwaya Commission of a previous session in favour of abolishing froe railway passes except to members of Parliament. Beplying to Mr Bracken, the Hon T. Dick said that the appointment of a member of the Wanganui Police force to be a gaoler was made, as the police officer in question happened to have special fitness for the position. Moreover, it would have been a reduction of salary for a senior officer of the gaol to have been appointed to that post. Beplying to Mr Barron, the Hon T. Dick said Government wob not unfavourable to the introduction of tho cental of ISOOlbs aB the standard for tho sale of grain, but until tho population was educated thereto, it would be injudicious to adopt it. In South Australia it had been adopted, but afterwards abandoned for tho reason stated above. Beplying to Mr J. Green, tho Hon T. Dice said an Order-in-Oouncil was being prepared declaring stoats and polecats tho natural enemies of rabbits. Forretß and weasels were protected under the Babbit Act. Owners and lessees of land could obtain the servioos of imported ferrets from Government on certain conditions. DISQU-ALiriCATION OP CHINESE. Mr Tubnbuil, on behalf of Mr Daniel, moved for leavo to introduce a Bill to disqualify Chinese from holding miners' rights and business licenses on goldfields. Mr Bbacken denounced the measure as tyrannical and uncalled for. Mr Shbphabd moved the adjournment bf the debato for a fortnight to enable them to ascertain the nature of the Bill. The motion for adjournment was carried. yew Bins. The following Bills were introduced and read a firßt timo : —" Coroners Act 1867, Amendment" (Mr Steward) ; Mining Companies' Validation (Mr Weston). VISIT TO THB EXHIBITION. Mr J. E. Bbown moved—" That this House do adjourn from Thursday, June 29, until tho Tuesday following, to enable members to accept the invitation of Messrs Joubort and Twopeny to visit the New Zealand Exhibition at Ohristchurch." Mr Fish seconded, and aftor some discussion, Tho Hon W. Bom-sston said the Government would give every facility for the proposed visit. bills passed. The following Bills were paßsed through Committee : — Waikato Confiscated Lands and Tradesmarks Amendment Bills. natitb bioebves bill. Mr Kelly resumed the debate on the Native Reserves Bill. He objected to the principlo of the Bill, and moved as an amendment—" That tho Bill bo read that day six : montliß," as it was expedient Native lands should be administered by the Laud Department through its Land Boards. Mr Conollt thought the short title tbe only recommendable part of the Bill. At the best it was dangerous and improper. The Hon W. Bollbston contendod tbat the Bill, as it stood, was framed in the interests both of Natives and Europeans. Mr DeLautottb insisted that the principlo of the Bill was bad, inasmuch as it aimed at the creation of irresponsible Boards to deal with large interests in connection with the landed estates of the Colony —in other words, shifting the responsibility from Government on to the shoulders of irresponsible bodies, thereby establishing a policy antagonistic to that of the Abolition of Provinces. It would be an improvement if the Natives themselves had a voice upon tho proposed Boards. Tho amendment not having been made in a hostile spirit he would support it. Mr Stevens said tho Bill was calculated to demoralise the Native mind, and give them tho feeling of entire dependence on the exertions of others peculiar to children. That, ho insisted, was opposed to tho spirit of the Nativo policy of the day. Tha debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment.