HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2181, 1 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

The Hniw met .it 2 30 p.m. The New Zealand Bible Tract ajud Book Society Bill w.is read a thiid time and passed. Si- veral bills were introduced Jand lead a first time. The Native Lands Administration Bill and the Native Land Couits Bill were reported from the Native Affair Committee, and ordered to be committed on Friday. Sir G. Grey gave notice to auk the Government if they would not prosecute the person who sold the matches by which a child was poisoned at Invercargill la.st week, the same not being labelled as poisonous. Replying to questions, it was stated that the request to have a uniform syntem of examination for classification of school teachers could not be granted. Mr Richardson said the Government had received tenders for a small contract on the Otago Central Railway. It was proposed to accept the contiact at once, in order to find employment for people who were unemployed in Dunedin. TUe contract was only for about £'2000. The Coal Mines Bill was reported from committee, leada thiid time, and passed. Mr Beetham moved that the second reading of the Railway Construction and Land Act, 1881, Amendment Bill, be taken formally without debate. Agreed to. Sir J. Vogel resumed the debate on the Pacific Islands question. He said circumstances had now changed, and it was neces-s-ary to .strengthen the hands of the AgentGeneral in representing the matter to the Home Government. He wished, say that the English Go\ eminent had all through extended eveiy consideration to New Zealand on the question. He said vhen the proper time came, his colleagues would move a series of amendments on the re&olutions previously moved by other member-., stiongly urging on the Hoiwj and the Government tho necessity of not allowing the New Hebrides to bo annexed by any foieign power; that no more convicts be sent by France to New Hebrides ; that religious freedom and freedom of trade and commeice be given to British subjects, equally with those of France; that R.ipa be ceded by France to Great Bnt.im and all objections waived to Great Britain annexing Rarotonga and the adjacent island-. Mr Barion moved as an atnenument that New Zealand should concentrate her attention on affairs within the colony. The House had confidence in leaving the ques tion as affecting the Pacific Islands to the Imperial Government. Mr Joyce agieed with Sir J. Vogel's resolutions. He thought they were the best that could be adopted in the present aspect of a (fairs. Mr Biuce could not agree with Mr Barron th.it New Zealand possessed an individuality of its own. He characterised the action of the British Government over the Pacific question as \.icihting m the extreme. He condemned the labour traffic as iniquitous, and <>aid he was glad Sir J. Vogel's had re f cued to that question. He emphatically protested against the annexation of those islands by Franca or any f neign power. Sir (Jeo. Grey's original motion for a mixed commission was then put and lost by 38 to 20. Mr McKenzies amendment was ako lost on the \oices. Sir J . V r ogel's resolutions (moved by Mt Tole) u'ere then put seiutim. i)n the tiist bein«? put, Sii Geo. Gie/ moved as an amendment "That this House piotcsts against any foreign power annexing any islands of the Pacific < )cein ." The amendment was lost bv 41 to 18. Sir J. Yogel's hist lesolution, hoping that an expression of opinion by the colony will not be without use to the Honu Government, was cairied. Mr Barron's. amendment was then put and lost by 44 to 15. On Sir J. Vogel's second resolution, strongly urging on Her Majesty's Government not to consent to the New liebiidcs being annexed by France, being put. Captain Russell moved (for Mr Rolleston) an amendment to the effect that the Hou.se would not convey to the Honi> Government another expression, but confidently hope that the Home Government would act in the beat interests of the Empire, the Colonies, and the Pacific Islands. Tho debate way interrupted by the 1.30 adjournment. Col. Trimbii continued the debate on the New Hebrides at 7.30, arguing in favour of Mr Rolleston's amendment. Mr \V. F. Buckland thought the best thing would be to drop tho whole thing. Mr Hobbs supported all but the fourth clause of the Government amendment. Mr Rolleston's. amendment was lost by 42 to 21. Mr Fulton moved a further amendment, that France .should be bound by treaty to discontinue convictism. Sir G. Grey said we had no right to dispose of the islands without consulting the inhabitants. There were many Christian villages scattered over them. The Premier was inflated with power, and haid upon his fellow men. In support he aveited to Sir R. Stout's treatment of the deputation of the unemployed at Chiistchurch. Mr Dargaville opposed the idea of bar- ; teiing Rapa- for the New Hebrides. He defended Sir G. Grey from the charge of inconsistency. Mr Buckl.md moved to insert that (Jre.it Britain should sacrifice all to honour and justice and dusrugdid expediency. Sir G. Gteydeniedth.it the majority of the islanders weie cannibals. Mr Wakeh'eld slid the Premier talked common sense to the unemployed, and he was bringing the same faculty to bear on the New Hebrides question. Much of what had been said was meiely false sentiment. The only way to stop convictism was by mutual arrangement between England and France. The latter country had iust as much horror of slavery as we had, and much more stringent and effective regulations on the subject. Mr Fisher insisted that the Government had dealt with the question in a weak manner. The contract between France and Germany, made two months ago, showed that the foimei intended to make the inlands a depot for lefiisp criminal population. New Zealand ought to do everything in her powei to pioteet the future interests of the British. Mr Buckland'h amendment was thrown out by Mil to 2.?, and the fourth section of Sir J. Vogel's amendment was carried. Mr Moss stiongly opposed the fifth sec tion, dealing with the laboui m.uket. Mr Daigavillo moved an amendment that the labour traffic should be discontinued. Sir .F. Yogel said the Government had no wish v hatever to foster the labour traffic but it was not in their power to stop it. All they asked the House- to say was that the traffic, if continued, should be legulated. The amendment u as negatived by 38 to 22. The losolution was negatived and all amendments but Sir J. Yogel's, which was c.uried in toto. Sii'iJ. Vogel moved that the House go into committee on the Midland Railway Bill. Majoi Atkinson moved lhat the debate be lopoited in Han-,ud. Seveial members piotestod agihist so unusual a eoiiise, and the motion was lost by »; to :u. On Clause 2, pr>viding Governor may enter into a contract, with the company. Mr G. F. liichaidson moved an amendment to insert the words "authorise! by this Act " instead of " indicated in correspondence set out m the second schedule." Sir J. Yogel opposed on the ground that if any new terms vver« inserted, t*ic company could i eject contracts and cume on the colony for compensation. (Left sitting). ,