IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9089, 28 April 1890, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

BRITISH NEW GUINEA. POSTAL RATES. IRISH LAND PURCHASE. [ST ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.] [Special to Press Association.] [Received April 26, at 3 p.ra.] LONDON, April £5. Mr Dillon says tho time of the Government will probably come when members will direct, tenants to repudiate their indebtedness. [Received April 27, at C p.ia. j April 26. On the estimates coming up for discussion to-day, Sir George Campbell moved to strike out the sum of £SOOO for providing a New Guinea steamer. He condemned the contemptible bargain of making New Guinea subject to tha administration of Queensland, a Colony which was unfit to control races. Referring to Sir William M'Gregor’s administration of British New Guinea, he said he was a better explorer and naturalist than an administrator; and he also attacked Mr John Douglas, who held the position of Special Commissioner in New Guinea from 1885 to 1888. Mr W. A. M‘Arthur defended Queensland from the attack made by the last speaker, and Sir T. Esmonde thought it would be better to allow Queensland to annex New Guinea. In reply Baron De Worms expressed surprise at the extreme and unwarrantable attacks made on Colonists by Sir George Campbell. As for Sir William M'Gregor, it was impossible to find a better administrator. Not tho slightest reason, in his opinion, had been shown why the vote should be reduced. The amendment was negatived. It is expected that the Government will apply tho principle of Mr Parnell’s Irish Land scheme to districts where landlords are unwilling to sell, or tenants to purchase. Mr Parnell declines to accept this, fearing he may be entrapped. On and after May 1, Colonial book post rates will be one penny per ounce. Mr Cecil Raikes, the Postmaster General, has promised the Agents-Geueral to forward written copies of the proposed reductions to all the Governments concerned.