GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 771, 4 October 1900, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. .YESTERDAY. Tub Council met at '2.30 p.m. BILLS FASSKD. The Criminal Code Act 1593 Amendment Bill, Government Railways Bill, and Slaughtering and Inspection Bill were read a third time and passed. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. The Hons. Bowen, Pitt and Rigs were appointed to confer with tepreaentutives of ihe Lower House with regard to the objections made by the latter to the Council's amendments in the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Bill. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills were read a first time :—New Zealand Consols Act Amendment Bill, Midland Authorised Area of Land Settlement Bill, Fisheries Encouragement Bill, Rotorua Town Council Bill, and West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Hill. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The Hon. W. C. Walker moved the second reading of the Old Age Peusions Amendment Bill. Mr McLean spoke strongly of the action of certain people who were themselves earning good livings but allowed their parents to accept State aid. He considered it a disgrace that the Bill had not prevented the possibility of this. . . Mr Bolt considered n system of universal pensious should he inaugurated, the recipients contributing a small amount to the fund and the Government subsidising. Mr Bonar thought the Government should have brought down better data as to the cost of the system. Already, in its second year, the system was costing more than double the amount estimated, and he considered a great wrong would be doae to pensioners and the coiony alike if the pensions had to be discontinued at n later date. The Government had also promised that charitable aid rates would decrease, but in the second year of the system the rates had increased from £93,070 to £IOB,OOO. After the debate the Hon. W. C. Walker defended the Government against Mr Bouar's allegations, and said, as a matter ol fact, charitabje aid had decreased during the last year. The Bill was read a second time. VICTORIA COLLEGE.' The Hon. R. Reeves moved the second reading of the Victoria College Act Amendment Bill. A proposal that the Bill be read that day three months was carried by 15 to 12. Tho Council adjourned at 9.10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YIivSTERDAY. The House met at 2 30 p.m. prjBLIC HEALTH RILL. The report of the managers appointed to confor with the Council on the amendments, made-by the latter in tho Public Health Bill, was agreed to. BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS. The Premier said, in accordance with tho general wish of the members, he had cabled Lord Roberts congratulations from the House on his birthday, and received & reply stating that he and Lady Roberts were pleased at the compliment, and saying that he would always bo proud of having had under his command the brave men sent to South Africa by this colony. PEACE DAV. The Premier said that some anxiety had been expressed as to what day would be proclaimed peace day. It was not possible to say when the present guerilla war would cease, aud as the Transvaal and Orange Free State had been annexed there would probablv be no formal declaration of peace. The Government had considered the matter, and with a view to give due notice to the colony they had fixed on the Prince of Wales Birthday, 9th November, as the date of the celebration. MAORI LANDS. On Ihe motion that the Maori Lauds Administration Bill be read a first time. In reply to Mr Heke Mr Seddon said the Bill was an alternate one tc the one already introduced, which provided for absolute vesting of the whole native lands in a mixed board of natives and Europeans., The present Bill made the vesting optional- He hoped to bo able to reconcile the two conflicting parties, as the present state of affairs was detrimental alike to natives and Europeans. So much conflict of opinion prevailed upon the subject that he was tired of it, and would submit the matter to the good sense of the majority of the House. Mr A. L. S. Fraser said the Bill would not prove satisfactory, and advised the Government to leave native legislation alone this session.

Mr Carroll said that personally he favoured the absolute vesting of land in a Board as being the host policy after a long course of experiment. He thought it was time that the administration of lands should be left in the hands of the natives themselves, and that alienation of such lands should be stopped. Mr Napier said he would resolutely oppose any attempt to set up a system of Maori landlordism as proposed in the Bill. European population had to be considered in thd matter. Natives should not be treated as children, as they were, he contended, quite capable of looking after their own interests as far as dealing with land was concerned.

Mr R. Thompson said the only way of dealing with tbe native lands was for the Government to purchase them on fair terms right out for the purpose of settlement, and place the money in the hands of a trustees for disposal amongst the owners. Capt. Russell had always contended that "the ouly way of dealing with the native land question was to individualise titles and place each man on his own section, without power to alienate, s-o that they might not become a burden upon the State. The question was cf jireab and colonial importance, and he objected to its being set down for consideration in the dying hours of the session. Mr He-nips believed if it cost the Government £IOO.OOO to survey native lands and individualise titles it would pay the colony and offer great inducement to natives to cultivate their laud. Mr Carroll believed that ultimately the Maoris should be placed upon exactly the same footing as Europeans, not ouly as regards land, but with respect to all other matters, but they had to legislate for tbe best now for the natives, and not for what might be best for thein years hence. The Bill was read a first time. representation act amendment. Tbe Representation Act Amendment Bill was introduced by the Governor's message. On the motion that it be read a first time. Capt. Russell thought the Bill should not be introduced at this stage of the session, With the extension of the bounds of the colony to South Sea Islands, to which we were now committed, provision would have to be made for the representation of

these islands in the House. The number of siembers should be increased, but the Bill id not go far enough in proposing ouly ix. Besides, the time was close when y law there would be a readjustment of the boundaries of the electorates. The Premier s»id he understood that members advocated that if there were an iucrease in the number of Miuisters there should also be au increase iu the number of members, and but for this expression of feeling he would not have touched the Bill. The Bill was read a first tune. L4HD FOK SETTLEMENT. Mr Seddoc, in moving that the Laud for Settlement Consolidation Bill be committed, said the Bill was a eonsclidating

measure and provided for certain defects in the principal Act. Messrs R. Thompson and McNab questiomd the wisdom of 10 per cent, for prompt payment. The latter said there wee bound to be some losses, and any profits n.«oo should bo set apart to meet such losses. Mr Bollard referred to the inequalities that existed in the rentals charged, and hoped that the Minister would endeavour to effect an adjustment The motion for the committal of the Bill was carried. The clans.-: providing for the taking of land for worker's homes, the owner shall have the right to retain 30 acres, was altered to 50 acres. A i;ew subclause was added, providing that a selector may take up an additional area if he can show that he possesses insufficient land to maintain himself and hi* family. The amount to he advanced for buildings etc., for worker's homes was increased from £3O to £SO. A motion to strike out the clause providing for a rebate of 10 per cent, for prompt payment was lost. The Bill was reported with amendments. MORE FEDERATION. The Premier gave notice to move today that the House affirm that Fiji as a Crown colony be abolished, and that it is desirable that the island federate with New Zealand. The House ro?e at 9 a.m.