HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6313, 10 August 1888, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, August 9; The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE EXHIBITION. [Replying to Mr Allen, The Premier read a cablegram which lie bad received that morning from Mr liOuisson, Mayor of Christchurch, who is now in Melbourne, as follows : — " Having seen unfavourable reports in reference to the exhibition of minerals, the Commissioners in meeting assembled this day, after due inspection, beg to inform you that the criticism is entirely premature. Every effort is in progress to make the display thoroughly representative, and when complete the exhibits will be the best New Zealand has ever shown, and a credit to the Colony." NATIVE LAND BILL. The House went into Committee on the Native Land BilL Mr Pratt suggested an alteration in the short title to the effect that the Bill should only apply to the North Island, and not have effect over any land in the South Island. Sir H. Atkinson asked whether Mr Pratt desired that Native land in the South Island should remain in the hands of the Public Trustee. Mr Pratt said there was no power given in the Bill to take the management out of the Public Trustee's hands. " Sir H. Atkinson thought Mr Pratt did not understand the Bill, which was simply to allow the Natives to dispose of their lands in the same manner as Europeans. Clause passed on the voices. Clause 3, Native Land Administration Aot repealed. Mr Taiwhanga spoke at great length in opposition to the clause, and proceeded to read a lengthy letter on the Treaty of Waitangi in Maori. The Chairman ruled him out of order, on the ground that he was trifling with the Committee in not speaking to the clause before it. Mr Taiwhanga then moved that the Chairman leave the chair/ and resumed reading the letter with the assistance of the interpreter. Several points of order were raised while theletter waH being read, but the Chairman ruled that Mr Taiwhanga was in order, having moved that the Chairman leave the chair. / Mr Taiwhanga again went on to object to the Bill, and said if Clause 3 was withdrawn he should not object bo strongly. He did not object to the Bill dealing with Native lands, but he wished it postponed till the Native ' chiefs met the Native Minister. .He then read a pamphlet by Mr Mackay on the subject of Native lands, whioh was not finished at the 5.30 adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. IN COMMITTEE ON THE NATIVE LAND BILL. Sir G. Gbbt said he believed the Bill, if passed in its present form, would result in the destruction of .the Native race, and also prove very injurious to Europeans. He protested against certain individuals being allowed in this manner to acquire large tracts of lands, and held that no persona not acquainted with Native customs had any chance of purchasing land tinder this Bill. He had prepared certain clauses which he should move when the proper time came. Sir H. Atkinson asked whether the hon gentleman would submit the clauses to the Government. Sir G. Gbet said he would not be questioned in that way, and he was not quite aura where the clauses would best come in. Sir H. Atkinson replied that if the hon gentleman refused to meet the Government in the matter he would have to get Ma clauses moved in his own way. Mr Tatwhanga asked whether the Government would withdraw the third clause of the Bill. The Hon E. Mitchelson .• No. Mr Tatwhanga then said he should have to continue his opposition, and proceeded to read the remainder of the pamphlet which had been interrupted hy the dinner adjournment. He continued reading extracts till 9.80 p.m., when Mr Scobib Mackenzie rose to a point of order, and asked whether a member could be allowed to quote extracts in this wholesale fashion, such as he had never known previously. Mr Taiptta said Mr Taiwhanga was only acting in the same manner as other members had done, and he hoped the House would not disapprove of his action. The Chatrwatt ruled that Mr Taiwhanga was not out of order. Mr Taiwhanga again xose and said he Bhould at once withdraw his opposition if the Government consented to drop the third clause of the Bill. He continued speaking, and reading other extracts. He resumed opeaking in Maori, and Baid, "if there is a God in Heaven I hope he will oppose the Bill, and soften the hearts of the members who are opposing it. There are 30,000 Natives in New Zealand who will be Mllcd by this Bill, and I will talk against it aa long as I have breath in my body. I shall not cease talking, but will go on for hours, and if the House does not approve of my speaking in the Native language, I will go back again and read that pamphlet. If that is not right, I will go on talking in Maori." Mr Fish, at 10.30, said as it was evident Mr Taiwhanga was speaking to the galleries, he moved that the galleries be cleared, with the exception of the ladies' gallery. Carried by 29 to 26. After the galleries were cleared, Mr Taiwhanoa went on speaking till past one o'clock, but eventually withdrew his motion, made early in the afternooon, that the Chairman should leave the chair. The motion to report progress was negatived, and then a point of order was raised. Mr Taiwhanga resumed his seat during the discussion, and not rising again quickly, j Clause 3 was carried on the voices before < he appeared to grasp the situation. I Thia was at 1.30, and immediately afterwards, on the motion of Mr Maechant, the galleries were re-opened. On Clause 4, giving power to the Natives ■to alienate their lands in the same way as Europeans, Sir GiOKGfB Gbet moved an amendment, restricting purchases by any one European 'to £2000 worth. Mr Taiftul spoke at great length against the Bill, and then Mr Taiwhanga resumed, the principal .portion of his remarks being 1 devoted to the reading of the Treaty of Waitangi, with 4jhe comments of various writers thereon. .^Thia morninic Clause 4> and. Sir George !C&ey*s jfimendmont Trero-'still under discussion.