THE NATIVE LANDS BILL- THE WANT OF AN OPPOSITION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 20, 13 September 1873, Page 10

THE NATIVE LANDS BILL- THE WANT OF AN OPPOSITION.

tollowing :— Considerable discussion has taken place in Committee over the Native Lsuds Bill. Messrs Gillies, Sheehan, Takamoana, and others have endeavoured to introduce amendments which would render the Bill more workable and less restrictive in its operation, but the Government, backed by a large and unflinehinr majority, decline to discuss any questions raised. The Bill will give the Government and their friends a monopoly of the native' land cl ct V, AmOßtusde ccn fcb^e to pass the Bill has been manifested by the Government. The Bill has now been printed in Maori. The native members have protested against its main clause, and have asked ttoat it may be printed and circulated amongst the Maori people, but all in vain. I*st night Mr McLean actuaUy asked the House to pass clauses which had never been placed in the hands of members aid only after nearly an hour's discussion did he give way. It transpired m the «ourso of the discussion that the amendments were in print bat the Native Minister had given instructions that the printed clauses SonS 0n l < i x distributed to members. Upon this becoming known Mr McLean gave way, after vainly endeavouring to explain how it came to pass that he had ordered the clerk not to distribute the papers amongst members. To-day the clauses were distributed amongst members, and it was at once Apparent why it had been attempted to smuggle them through. Messrs Sheehan, Gillies,' Williams, and others pointed out the operation of the clauses, and endeavoured to amend them, but it was a hopeless struggle, and had to be given up. The native chiefs, who are in Wellington watching the proceedings of Parhament, are very much excited, and propose to hold a meeting to condemn the Bill. °