Parliamentary Gossip.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4522, 3 July 1883, Page 2

Parliamentary Gossip.

(FBOM OUR OWN COBBEBPONDENT.)

Wellington, Yesterday.

On the invitation of Sir G. Grey a meeting was held in the room of the leader of the Opposition at noon to-day, to consider? hi*- '^Confederation and Annexation Bill." The following were present :•—Messrs Cadman, Hursthouse, Buchanan (Napier), Harris, White J. 8.. O'Callaghan, Tole, DeLautour, White (Sydenham),)Peacock, Bracken, Feldwick, Joyce, Dargaville, Seddon, George, Smith* (Napier), Sbrimski, Ivess, Pyke, Levestam, Duncan, Swansoo, McDonald A., J. 0. Brown, Fulton, Green, and Wilson (Kaiapoi;.—Mr Joyce said he was requested by MBJor Atkinson to express his personal regret, and that of his colleagues at their inability to attend, on account of pressure of work, that he (Major Atkinson) would have much pleasure in conferring with Sir George later on, upon the proposal. Other members sent apologies oa the ground of writing for English and Southern mails.— Sir George gave a brief, historical sketch of the British connexion with the Islands of the Pacific, pointing out that New Zealand from the first had been a centre of missionary operations, and that when Governor in 1845, he had under the powers of his commission negotiated with the chiefs of adjacent islands, notably that of New Caledonia, Thakombau of Fiji, and Friendly Islands chiefs for their confederation. France, however, took possession of New Cledonia, the British tacitly acquiescing; not caring, probably to interfere with the action of an ally with whom they were then engaged in the Crimean war. His action not meeting with the approval of the Home Government, the other islands remained under native rule. He mentioned that at that time New Zealand chiefs were highly favorable to the scheme, and that in granting reserves for educational and charitable purposes, they caused it to be inserted in the deeds, that the benefits should extend to the other islands, as well as to New Zealand. In reply to questions, Sir George Grey said his reason for the colony taking independent action in the direction indicated in his Bill was that it was a basis for future negociations that might lead up to a confederation for defensive and other purposes, of all the colonies; and that it seemed to him so far 8s negociations re annexation had yet gone, .there was a lack of definiteness. His bill gave authority to the Government on proposals reaching it from Islands to appoint an Ambassador to collate information which he laid before the Colonial Legislature, and which, after approval, .would be forwarded for ratification by the Home Government. His Jidea was that something ,in the nature of States, or a provincial system, might be established ; that there might be local governments on the several islands, and a resident official representative of New Zealand at each, who, should be superintendent and commissioner of customs. He thought by this means that a uniform tariff might be arrived at. The advantages for 'defensive purooses of such a confederation were explained, and also the immense assistance it might be to the mother country in the event of war, if an advance were made by the Colony in raising a fleet of war ships that woull of itself render it very difficult for any foreign power at war with Great Britain to detach a sufficiently powerful squadron to be dangerous to the Colonies. After several other 'questions had been asked, answered, and discussed, and there appearing to be general con* census of opinion in favor of the measure, a resolution was proposed by Mr Pyke, and seconded by Shrimaki, expressing thanks to the Opposition for the principles of the measure ; coupled with a request that Sir Geo. Grey would meet members on a future day for furtter consideration of the proposals. Sir George acceded with pleasure, and.the vote was carried by acclamation.