rating clause, and hopbd the natives wonld be enoouraged to individualise titles. Mr Beetham commended Mr Ballance's frankness. He did not approve of forcing the natives to pay rates at tbe present juncture. Mr Kerr oonsWered all tbeße bills were intended to whitewash doubtful trans actions in native lauds. Mr Carroll sharer] with Mr Hutchison in his objections, but in the main supported tho bill, so that it might be threshed in the Joint Committee. He was afraid clause 4 would open the door to the vali dation of Borne very dubious transactions, and he disliked the rating cluuso. His idea was that wherever Maotis seemed anxious and able to be put on the same footing as Europeans it should be done. Mr Taipua said he would like to see the Maoris allowed an opportunity of revising the land laws for themselves.' This bill was the first they had ever been consulted by the Government on. The rating olause was especially objectionable. He could not support the measure. Mr. Pratt thought the whole tenor of the bill unfavorable to the Maoris. He had expectod it would apply only to land, and not bring in a side issue bucli as taxa tion. The natives in the South Island should not he allowed to sell their land. He opposed the proposal to refer the measure to a joint committee. Mr. Smith wouM prefer to ueo one comprehensive meiinure, instead of four amending bills. He thought the Govern ment ou^ht to hive kept tbe preemptive rig lit iv their own hands. Mr Tuiwahanga oonteu«'ed th»t the natire difficulty would soon bo removed if they *ere entrusted with tho nunagerasnt of their 0 .vn land. He was not in favor of the Bill, and be hopes to see it referred to th» Native Affiirs Committee. Mr Rhodes thonzht it wouM bo a great mistftka to illow any of tbo natives on the South I«lan>i to alienate thair land. Messrs Killy and Cad man supportod the measure Mr Mitchelson hiving brii fl .' replied, the fetcou'l reaiin^ wus carrioJ ou the voices. On tho motion to refer it to Committee, Mr Taipua moved as nn nrmmlment to refer it to the Native A flairs Committee. This was lost by 28 to 27. The Qousb tori ul 12.50 a.m.
