House of Representatives.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7827, 20 August 1904, Page 6

House of Representatives.

AFTERNOON SITTING.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW KILLS. The Hon. J. McGowan gave notice that he would introduce the State Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice that he would introduce the Weights and Measures Act Amendment Bill. FIRST READINGS. The Land Boards Empowering Bill (Sir W. J. "Steward), and the Bruce Licensing Poll Bill No. 2 (Mr James Allen) were read a first time. THE ESTIMATES. At 2.50 the House went into Committee of Supply for further consideration of the estimates. On the item, Justice Department £141,831, the Leader of the Opposition, referring to the vota for the Maori lands administration, said that even the Maoris themselves were not satisfied with the Maori land administration of tb,Q Government, and '.ftwwef native kw werQ - t .j locked up.- He moved that the vote be reduced by £1 as an indication that the Maori land administration is not satisfactory. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch) urged that the Maori lands should be dealt with in the same way as the lands purchased for close settlement.

Mr W. Herries (Bay of Plenty) dealing with the subject ot Maori Councils contended that it was an improper thing that Mr H. Kaib.au, M.H.R., should continue to hold his seat as a member of the Wakatu Council.

The Hon. J. Carroll said he had represented to Mr Kaihau that he should retire from the Wakatu Council, and he had replied that he did not intend to take any part in its proceedings.

Mr A. L. 1). Fraser (Napier) Concurred with the "view expressed by Mr Herries. He went on to say that the expenditure on the Maori Councils had been a sinful waste of money.

Mr M. Kirkbride (Manukau) thought the Maoris should be allowed to deal with their lands as they pleased.

Mr A. Remington (Rangitikei) said that what was wanted was the mdividuahsation of the Native land titles, and he believed the land would be better administered by the Land Department and the Public Trustee.

Mr A. L. D. Fraser said it was very evident to the Government that the Maori would have none of their policy, and it was suggested in the Budget that it was intended to place these lands in the hands of the Councils at the point of the bayonet. He warned the Native Minister to drop the proposal.

After further discussion the Hon. J. Carroll remarked that most of the criticisms levelled against the administration of the Maori Lands by the Councils was of such a general natu/e that it could not be replied to. He was willing, he said, to fix a period after which lands dealt with by the Conncils should revert to the Maori owner. The Councils were too large and unwieldy, and he believed better work could be done by greatly reducing the members, or by amalgamating two adjoining districts, such as "Wanganui and Hawke's Bay.

Mr Massey said the Maoris themselves asked to be given the management of their own affairs, with a proviso that; each Maori should be compelled to retain sufficient land on which to live, and that that land should be made absolutely unalienable. The surplus lands should be disposed of; he did not care how, so long as they were profitably employed.

The Hon. J. Carroll, in the course of further remarks, pointed out that the work of the Maori Land Councils was necessarily slow. A committee had to be appointed to investigate the title to each block, and those committees had to report to the Council, and he urged that considering the difficulties the re3ulfc up to date was satisfactory. During the recess the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court would be employed m consolidating all the Native Land Acts.

After a discussion lasting nearly the whole afternoon, Mr Massey's motion was lost by 30 to 24. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.