Legislative Council.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11975, 19 September 1906, Page 5

Legislative Council.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 18.

The Council met at 2.30.

The Juvenile Offenders and Sale of Explosives Bills were read a third time and passod. The Hon. Macdonald resumed the debate upon the Hon. Ormond's motion for an extended return of native waste lands. He criticised the apathy of the Native Land Department and the apathy of the people, especially in the South Island, respecting the question of dealing with native lands. He contended that the policy of dealing with the Maori lands by Maori Parliament and Maori Boards has proved a complete failure, and it was necessary to adopt a policy such as he had suggested to enable Europeans to settle upon the available lands of the colony. He doubted, if the present Native Minister would be able, owing to the peculiarities of his position, to give effect to such a policy. The Hon. Mahutu entirely agreed with the Hon. Macdonald in his proposal for sweeping away the old native land laws and establishing new laws to enable the lands to be thrown open. The Hon. Rigg, who considered the motion by the Hon. Ormond had been brought down under false pretences, drew attention to the apparent ignorance of the previous speakers of the fact that a definite native land policy had been outlined in the Budget — a better policy that that outlined by either the mover or the Hon. Macdonala. It would, he said, be impossible to deal with the whole question in one measure.

The Attorney-General declined to refer to the Hon. Ormond's reference to the general land policy, on the ground that it was contrary to the Speaker's ruling to do co, but on the native land question ho stated that the Hon. Ormond had expressed approval of many points in the Land Act of last Parliament, and had approved the policy enunciated by Mr Seddon. He defended the Native Minister from the accusation of apathy, and quoted statistics to show that a great deal had recently been done towards acquiring native lands and individualising titles. He had no objection to the motion, but it must be understood tba£ in voting for it he in no way subscribed to the views of the mover.

The Hon. Ormond having replied, the motion was carried on the voices, and the Council adjourned at 5 p.m.