PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2300, 20 May 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Press Association.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The speaker Baid he wished to express to the House the deep regret at the death of Sir Thos. Erskine May, news of which had been received by that day's cable.

Replying to qucstiuns, it was stated that it was hoped that a new Representation Aet altogether would not be requited but only to deal with those districts where increase of population required it. That 110 information had yet been received of sentence of four months' imprisonment on John Gilchrist at Ashburton, fur cruelty to dog. That a Bill would be introduced empowering the Nfttivo Laild Court to subdivide lands granted to Maories in the South Island. That 110 tenders had yet been received for the leasing of the seal of fisheries;

Several Bills were introduced and read for the first time, Sir G. Grey moved a series of resolutions re the New Hebrides question. In doing so ho referred at groaf length to the whole matter, and entreated tho House to take such steps as would prevent France from obtaining possession of the Island.

Mr Stout defended the action tho Government had taken in the matter, and said they had repeatedly represented to the Home Government the noceasity of taking some action in che New Hebrides question. He said Sir Georgo Grey had not pursued a proper course in moving his resolutions without consulting the Government. Ho also asked the House to consider what effect the resolution just moved by Sir George Grey would hare on Lord Granville, especially aB Sir Georsre Grey had an old feud with Lord Granville, and had just referred to that gentleman as a trickster. He moved an amendment that a Committee bo appointed to considor what action New Zealand should pursue in tho New Hebrides question,

Major Atkinson said he hoped Sir Goofge George Grey would withdraw his resolutions till more information waß obtained, flo would nover be a party to bartering the New Hebrides for any othor islands. Messrs Downie, Stewart, Macandrow, and Beetham also spoke on the question. Tho debate was interrupted by tho 5.30 adjournment,

Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Dobbs regretted any party feeling had been brought into tlio matter. Mr Fisher thought Grey was entitled to great credit for bringing the matter forwaid. If he meant to vote on the question he would support him. f , Aftor some desultory discussion, Mr Darpavillo moved tlio adjournment of the House, which was negatived.

The Premier then withdrew his amendment, and Groy his motion, the latter explaining his reference to Lord Granville as a protest against colonists being influenced by frowns of foreign statements.

The Premier gave notice to niovo tomorrow for a Committee to consider tho whole question of tho relation of Now Zealand to the Pacific Islands, Tho Lost Debentures Bill was read a second time, and the House adjourned at 8.20 p.m.