HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VII, Issue 1312, 20 May 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(per united press association.)

Wednesday, Mas'' 19. ' ) The Speaker said he wished to express to the House his deep regret at the" death ' of Sir Thomas Erskine May. : 3 •,! In reply to questions, it was stated that it was hoped that a new Representation Act altogether would not be required, but only to deal with those districts! Where increase of population required it j that a bill would be introduced empowering the Native Land Court to sub-divide lands granted to Maoris in the North Island.

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Sir Geo. Grey moved a series of resolutions on the New Hebrides question, of which the folowing were the chief points ". That New Zealand has no powerfor right to agree to any of the New Hebrides being taken possession of by any foreign, power, and will pot, directly or indirectly, assent to any such action, which, she believes, would be cruel and immoral' ; that, having no right to sanction such seizure or occupation of the New Hebrides, she will neither claim or acoept any equivalent or, concession in return for wha.t shj& coa-;^ 1 ceives would be an unjust act ; that this House cannot think that the ifleoessities of the foreign policies of the British Empire can demand that— a concession so unjust to a friendly and inoffensive people as those which, are, proposed Bhould ; he . made by Great Britain 'to any 'other power, nor can this House understand on what"' •rounds the right is attributed to Great Britain to dispose, of the lands, .the property, and destinies of a friendly ' people, who are ignorant of 'what is being done 1 '; that this House . cannot entertain the proposal of the French Governing to the effect that " France will cease'transp'brtation altogether in the Pacific, it she is allowed to have the New Hebrides" ; that a loyal address be presented to the Queen, embodying the foregoing resolutions, and '\ praying that her' Majesty take such steps as may prevent the inhabitants of Aus- ' tralia, New Zealand; ,and the inhabitants of other islands in the Pacific front being prejudiced in this mattee. Mr. Stout defended the action the Government had taken in the matter, .and said they had repeatedly represented to the Home Government the necessity ol taking some action in the New Hebrides question. He said Sir George, Grey ,had not pursued the proper course in moving his resolutions without' consulting the Government. He also asked the House to consider what effect the resolutions just moved by Sir George Grey would have on Lord Granville, especially ."as Sir Geo. had an old feud with Lord Granville, and had just referred to that gentleman as a trickster. Ho moved as an amendment, - "That a committee be appointed to consider what action New Zealand should pursue in the. New Hebridep question." i Major Atkinson said he hoped Sir Geo. Grey would withdraw his resolutions till more information was obtained. He would never be a party, to bartering the New Hebrides for any other islands. *

Mr. Hobbs regretted that any partyfeeling should be imported 4nto the matter. Mr. Fisher thought Sir George Grey was entitled to great credit for bringing the matter forward. If he had to vote on the question he would support him.

After some desultory conversation, Mr. D'argaville moved the adjournment of the House, but this was negatived.

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

The Premier gave notice to move to-morrow for a committee to consider the whole question of the relations of New Zealand to the Pacific Islands. The Lost Debentures Bill was read a second time, and the House adjourned at 8.20 p.m.