HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2163, 20 May 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker said be wished to express to tin* Houxe his regret at the death of Sir Thomas Er»kine May, news of .which had been received by that day's caple. Replying to question*, it wts stated that it was hoped a new iteuiosentation Att altogether would not be inquired, but oiil y to deal with those districts where, the increase of population required it ; that no information had yet been received of the sentence of four months imprisonment of John Gilchri-t, at Ashburton, for cruelty to a dog ; that a Bill would bo introduced empowering Native L.md Couits to subdovido laud granted to Maotis in the South Island; that no tendcih had yet been icceived for leasing the *cal fisheiics. Several Bills were introduced and read a first time. Sir G. Grev moied a scries of resolution'* on the New Hebiides question. In doing: so he refened at girat length to the whole matter, and eutieated the House to take such steps as would prevent France from obtaining possession of the Hands. Mr Stout defended the action the Government had taken m the matter, and said they had repeatedly lepresented to the House the necessity of taking some action in the New Hebtides quo-tion. He said Sir G. Grey had not pursued a proper course in moving his resolution* without consulting the Government. He also asked the Government to consider what effect the resolutions fiist moved by Sir G. Grey would have on Loid Granville, especinlly as Sir George Grey h.id an old feud with Lord Granvillo, and had just referred to that gentleman as a trickster. He moved, as an amendment, "That a Committee bo appointed to consider what action New Zealand should put sue in the New Hebrides question." Major Atkinson said he hoped Sir G. Grey would withdraw his resolutions till more information was obtained. Ho would never be a party to bartering the New Hebrides for any other islands. Messrs Downie Stewart, Micandrew, Montgomery, and Beetham also spoke on the quu-tton. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. MrHobbiregiettedth.it any party feeling had been imparted into the matter, as he thought th it Sir G. Grey was entitled to great credit for bringing the matter forward. If he went to vote on the question he w<«uld support him. After somo desultory discussion, Mr Dargaville moved the adjournment of the House, which wan negatived. The Premier then withdrew his amendment, and Sir G. Grey his motion, the Litter explaining his reference to Lord Granville as a protest against colonist* beinc influenced by tho frowns of a Foreign Stnte. The Premier gave nnjjce to move tomorrow for a committee to consider the whole question of the relations of Now Zealand to the Pacific Islands. Tha Lost Debentures Bill wa* read a sep'>nd tune, and the House adjourned at 8.20 p.m.