WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2567, 5 September 1867, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4.

Tho Speaker took tho chair at 2 o clock. NATIVE RESERVES LAND PAPERS. On the motion of the Hon. Major Richardson, the papers with reference to Native Reserves Land wero ordered to be printed. REPORT OF PETITIONS COMMITTE — ADJOURNED DEBATE. The adjourned debate on the question, — " That the interim report of the Potitions Committeo, brought up on Friday, this 23rd August, be adopted"' was resumed. The Hon. Mr HOLMES did not demur to the conclusion arrived at by the pooplo of Raglan, but he disagreed with the conclusion of the committee that tho time had arrived when large powers of local self-government should be given to outlying districts. A third form of government was not required in tho colony ; which would only tend to increase taxation, already too heavy. The country was now over-govei-ned ; and tho provincial system should be abolished- He would now move that tho report be referred back to the Committee The How Mv MANTELL did not think taxation would bo incurred by the establishment of local boards, as those boards would simply tnke a portion of tho taxation out of the hands of the Provincial Government He should support the adoption of tho report. . The Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel WHITMORE would not support any scheme for giving local self-government until tho provincial institutions wore either abolished or rendered powerless tor evil. He should not vote for tho amendment, because he thought the report could do no harm, and after gentlemen had taken a deal of trouble in drawing up a report, it should not be rejected save for very important reasons. The Hon. Dr. M EN Z I lift thought local functions coujd be better discharged by local boards thnn by Provincial or General Governments ; but still before sucli boards were established, it would be necessary to be certain that they would hare sufficient revenue to carry on their functions. The Hon. J. MILLER would vote for the amendment, becauae matter liud been imported into the report uf the Committee quite foreign to its scope. The Hon. Mr ACLAND thought it would be a t bad principle to refer a report back to a Commit tee •, if it were disapproved of it should be thrown out. The amendment was put and lost ; and after a slight discussion the original motion was carried on division by a majority of 10, tho numbers being li for, to 4 against. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES BILL. The amendments made by tho House of Representatives were agreed to. THIRD READINGS. The Coroners' Bill, and tho Canterbury Public Reserves Bill were road a third time. IN COMMITTEE. The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill, the Otago Goldfields Judicial Officers Bill, an A the Wairarapa Racecourse Exchanges Bill were considered in Committee, and reported without amendments. The Council then adjourned.