POLITICAL NOTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11703, 1 November 1905, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From Our Parliamentary Special). (By Telegraph). MAORI LANDS. WELLINGTON, October 31. When the Maori Land Claims Adjustmont Bill was in committee to-nigln, IV i r A. L. D. Eraser took strong exception to the following 1 now clause that had been inserted by the Native Affairs Committee, viz., 13a : "Nothing in 'The Maori Lands Administration Act. 1900,' or any other Act, shall preclude the alienation of any separate parcel or area of land owned bclore the first of January. 1901, by not more than two owners, and not exceeding six hundred and forty acres of first-cTass land, or two thousand acres of secondclass land (not being land within tlie area defined by the second schedule to the Native Land Court Act, 1894), the title to which, as a separate area, was ascertained by partition or otherwise, prior to the Ts>* of January. 1901." Mr Eraser said the clause, if carried, wou'id cause great iniustice to certain people, and it would also mean interminable legislation. Mr Ell objected to the Bill as a whole, as ho thought these "washing up" Bills should be brought down early in the session, so that they could receive full consideration. He moved to report progress.

The Hon. Jas. Carroll pointed out that tho Bill had been exhaustively considered by the Native Affairs Committee. Mr Ell's motion was lost on the voices.

Messrs Kaihau and Pore proceeded to make lengthy speeches, the former in support of, and tnc latter against the clause, and as time was getting on, and members showed signs of impatience. Mr Carroll moved to report progress on the Bill: He was urged to take a vofe on the clause, which was done.' with the result that the clause- was thrown out by 32 votes to 24.

The Bill was subsequently put through its final stages without further amend ment.

CONTROL OF RESERVES.

The To-u-ist, Health, and Scenic Resorts Control Bill, which was introduced by Sir Joseph Ward to-day for the purpose of circulation during the recess, provides for* tho appointment of a general manager to tho Department of Tourists and Health Resorts, in whom is vested the control of the following reserves: — Little Barrier Island, Piha Domain, Te Arolia Hot Springs Domain and Sanatorium Reserve, Rotorua-Pukeroa Domain, Rotorua-Kurau Domain. JKotorua Medical Officers' Reserve, Rotorua-Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve, Arikikapakapa Reserve, Rotorua Forest Reserve, Lake Waikaremoana-Nu-haka Thermal Springs Reserve, Pukaki Domain, Aorangi Domain, Te Anau Domain, and Resolution Island. The revenue from these reserves, and all revenue heretofore received in respect of th« Tc Aroha Domain, shall be paid into tb^ Consolidated Fund. There are amimber of machinery clauses, providing, inter alia, for giving power to the Minister to grant the use of any reserve 101* sports or games, and to regulate the same.