PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12587, 17 August 1910, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 16

The* House met at 7.30. Mr Ngata resumed the debate on the Budget He pointed out that the 1/iyv .generally did not* differentiate between European and Maori in regard to native land legislation. He said that in tlio past Europeans who had transactions with h.itiv-es had not always heen of the highest class. This had led tr> protective legislation. In connection with the alienation of native lands, the time was not ripe for abolishing such legislation. It had been recognised that some restrictions should be placed upon Maoris in dealing with their lands, and the Lands Acts embodied restrictive legislation. Tn regard to the sale and mortgage of lands, provision had Leon wade on the Satute book for the gradual breaking down of the oomimmal system, but time must be allowed for this to be done. When people asked that the Maoris sVvld be placed on the same footing as Europeans, it meant, in most cases, that the natives should .■ay the .same taxes as whites. The Maoris wonjd not be equal for a i-uig time to come to discharge the responsibilities sought to be put upon tliem. In many cases th-e Maoris were ijnyi.'ig hnid tax."

Mr Luke said tlie country <{osirc\l to soo justice done t« the Maori fioo. The present position was that the n-tiivcs owned l-> r> acres per head as i'mainst fro acres held l>y Europeans. Mo cmv.--.id-orcd there was a pood future Lr.fore the natives, and. he believed they would go on increasing in knowledge and in numbers. Tf was the bounden du+.v of the State to. safeguard tlie national endowments for tlie purposes of social reform and education. Doling with the lanci question, he upheld the lonsohold system. He hoped the Prime Minister would appoint a. Minister of Lands at an early date. The Question of tenure might very well be let alone for a .number of years. The House went into Committee of Simply. Progress was reported, and tlie House xose at 10.45 p.m.