HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1096, 5 June 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, June 3. The usual large budget of questions occupied the attention of the House on Friday afternoon, the most important being whether there was any precedent for prisoners under committal for trial for sedition and remaining in custody, being taken by magistrates iind other Government officials, to public shows, and excursions by rail to various places. In a new * country like this, we were always making precedents, and the case referred to would be precedent for the future. In reply to the question, the Government said, a sum of money would be put on the estimates to pay expenses of Te Whiti and Tohu, for travelling and entertainment outside the prison. The Government did not intend to make special arrangements by which the Attor-ney-General should be a member of the House of Representatives. Before proceeding with the orders of the day, Macandrew moved the postponement of the orders of the day, in order to enable him to move a motion which he had given notice, that a petition by Wi Parata be taken into consideration. Before further proceeding with the West Coast Preservation Bill, the iSative Minister took the opportunity of announcing that the Government will not accept any amendment whatever to the second reading of the Bill mentioned. Atkinson confirmed this announcement, and referring to the petition in question asked Macandrew whether he knew of his knowledge that Wi Parata really held authority from Te WHti to move in the direction he had done. Sheehan advised Macandrew to withdraw the motion, and eventually the House declined to postpone the orders of the day to allow the motion to be discussed forthwith. The Pillet Indemnity Bill was then read a second time. The evening sitting was occupied in the continuation of the adjourned debate on the second reading of the West Coast Preservation Bill, which was taken up by Toamora, who urged that Te Whiti might be brought to the bar of the House, so that we might hear what he had to say for himself. He also suggested that the speeches made by new members in regard to this question, should be translated into the Maori language. Bracken did not approve* of one sided statements being made in that House, and urged that Te Whiti should be allowed to say what he might have to say in his own behalf. Moss pleaded that an enquiry should be made into both sides of the question. Hursthouse, Morris, and Colonel Trimble, supported the measure. Grey asked the Native Minister to sketch the future policy of the Government, especially in regard to native reserves, and referring to certain remarks that had been made, said he was not aware of any recognised leader of the Opposition at the present moment, nor any determined plan to oppose the Government on this question. On the contrary, he believed arrangements had been entered into by members usually opposed to the Government to allow the measure to be treated on its merits ; each individual member following the dictates of his own conscience. Tawhaio opposed the second reading, as also did J. Buchanan and J. C. Brown. Major Te Wheoro hoped the House would agree to the petition 'of Wi Parafca. At twenty minutes past 12 o'clock, the question was put that the Bill be now read a second time, which resulted in a majority of 38 for the ayes on a division. Bryce gave an outline of what the Government intended to do ill reference to native reserves, As he had previously announced the recommendations of the West Coast Commission to reserve for the natives a quantity of land not less than ?53,000 acres, wore acquiesced in by

the Government. The natives were to be punished, however, for their great obstinacy, by having to suiter a reduction of 10,000 acres iv these reserves, and he had explained this to them at a meeting ! held in one of their principal whares at Parihaka. Alluding to the speech of Grey, Bryco naid when he heard that' ' speech, the strong political partisan dvI appeared from his eyos, and he saw before him the only gallant gentleman whom he remembered in 1»» y<\»t hfu &**• He concluded by annoitncmg that ho had read the following telegram m reference to Wi Parata'H petition: "Te Whiti states positively •■ that he had not authorised W i Parata or anyone to appear for him or employ counsel to appear for him at hus trial or before the House." The Bill was read a second time.