PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 156, 12 June 1886, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[m OTrmro pbkbs association.] :, yr. W»im»gtok; June 10. Ia the House of Representatives. Sir Robert Ptoutrtsd to the" House telegrams he had received in reference to the'eruptions and earthquake at Rotorua. Replying to Mr Dowaie Stewart, it waff elated that the Board had decided to, close the Industrial Branch of the Government Insurance Department, and sa_tjriictiont had been civen that no farther ess** of the kind should be taken. '*'■• Str George Grey moved that the House concurs is the report of the Pacific Island Coamiittee. Sir R. Stout oppesed the motion. He objected .strongly to the proposal for a mixed . Commissien. It would out the cbiemet oat of a voice in the Pacific efairs altogether, whereas they should bave more to say tban any otber Power. He reminded Sir G. Grey that in 1878 he urged the annexation of the New Hebrides by Great Britain. In his opinion the most politic course would be to let France have those islands if we could get in exchange Rapt> and Raratonga. which would make admirable outposts in the Eastern Pacific. He was debarred, howaver, by hi> reply to the Presbyterian < -hurch from moving in this direotion. — Major Atkinson regretted that the Pre» n'er had not given the House a lead on ■o important a question. He hed allowed his hand to be forced by tbe Presbyterian Cburoh. Persenallv, he would support t-he resolutions. Tne debate wan adjourned till Wednesday, and the House ■ rose at 11.45.