PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7660, 10 June 1886, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESrONDKNT. J Wellington, Wednesday. THE NEW HEBRIDES. The interest in the subjeot of the New Hebrides was not diminished by what occurred this afternoon in both Houses of the Legislature. In the Legislative Council Sir Frederick Whitaker announced his iutention of bringing in a Bill to prevent injury to this colony from the 'introduction of French convicts. While this notice was being given in the Upper Chamber, an interpellation was passing in the Lower Houso between the Premier and Mr. Moss, which rather increased the interest in the queetiou. The inquiry of the member for i'aruell was in effect whether the Premier would co-operate with the other Australian colonies to aacertain whether they would unite in preventing intercourse with trading vessels from French colonial ports. The Premier, in hie answer, doubted whether the colonr, as a dependency, had any power to take action in the direction iudicatcd. Mr. Mobs pointed out that all that was wanted wns proof to the satisfaction of a competent officer that no convict or person who had been a convict withiD tive years was on board. The Premier pointed out that any legislation by the colonies would require Her Majesty's assent, which probably would not be given. Evidently Sir Frederick Whitaker is a high legal authority, and has in his mind the framework of a measure which will accomplish the object|desired; but in the House of Representatives the Premier's answer was followed by a further intimation by Mr. Moss th»t at the next sitting he would movetuatthe matter should be referred to the Attorney-General for his opinion, th Attorney-General being the Premier himself. When these little episodes had passed Sir George Grey's motion of concurrence with the interim report of the Pacific Islands Committee was called. It was very near the dinner hour, and Sir G. Grey deprecated his having t> bring forward hie motion in a thin House, and having allowed for its discussion the extremely short period of twenty minutes. It w»s arranged that Sir G. Grey should bring on his motion tomorrow, at half-past seven o'clock.

THE WHAU LUNATIC ASYLUM. The Colonial Secretary thi* afternoon, in reply to a question by the Hon. Mr. Williams, said thiit during hie iuepection he did what he could to reliere the condition of the inraatee in respect to being overcrowded. Hβ cansed some of the inmates to be removed to a building where they could have better accommodation. There would bo a sum put on the Estimates for this and similar purposes. He paid a high compliment to the energy of the present Inspector-General, who had already done " wonders" by the success of his efforts to improve the condition of the inmates of these eutablishmente. The Colonial Secretary further said that there were people in the Aeylura who ought not to be there, pereons who were suitable subjects for the protection of a home or refugo rather than a Lunatic Asylusn. He regretted that this could not for the present be remedied. THE HO.V. MR. CHAMBERLAIN. It was stated yesterday that this hon. member of the Legislative Council wa« absent through illnuss. There is no doubt whatever about the statement made by the Hon. Mr. Scotland that he was ill, but Mr. Chamberlain is only suffering the consequence of a severe cold, and will bo in his place on Friday. POLITICAL PROSPECTS. The excitement consequent upon the recent crisis and the rumours which arose out of it have died away. The House of Representatives is settling down to business. Retrenchment is the order of the day in the stricter sense of the term. Mr, M. O'Conor moves for a committee to inquire what} savings can be made in the Legislative Department. MANGONUI AND HOKIANGA LANDS. Mr. Hobbs argues that this should be the platform laid down by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and nothing short of it—viz., a definite scheme for the construction of the line from Heleesville to Tβ Awanui—a distance of 150 milea—which, on a rough estimate bv Mr. O'Conor, would not cout more than £7000 per mile, and would not cost more than one million to be provided for by a loan, and ear-marked the vote to be expended, say, in four or tive years. Mr. Hobbs contends that it is quite as important, if not more go, than the Otago Central, which the Otago members are banding themselves together to insist upon, aoa it is for this end it is believed that the Hon. Mr. Reynolds has joined the Government, aa Otago has now three members in the Cabinet. That the .Northern line would be a good paying one no one doubts, and it is to be hoped that the voice of the Auckland people will be heard through the Chamber of Commerce and the Auckland representatives, so that the longneglected North will at last get justice. Mr, Hobbs g»ve notice to-day to ask the Government on Friday whether they will authorise a survey (during the recess) of the Main Trunk line uortb of Auckland from where Mr. Knorpp left off his aurvey near Omapere lake, not far from Kaikote to To Awanai. From what I can gather, the continuation oi the line would go through or near the Akahau settlement, along Waihou Valley, pass the Federli settlement, through the Maungamuka Valley, and then through at cither the Oruru or Victoria Valley and Kaitaia to Te Awhanui, which would be the terminus of the route. This would open up the best lands of the North, a large propor tion of which are in the hands of the Crown, and it would pass through or near large kauri and puriri foreets and other valuable timbered country.

NEW ZEALAND FLAX. Mr. Johnson, member for Te Aro, has given notice of a question to the Government whether, in order to encourage the manufacture of New Zealand flax fibre for export, they will offer a bonus of £2000, such bonus to be payable to the persons who shall tirst, within twelve months from the present time, export at a cost not exceeding £15 a ton on board ship, 50 tons of fibre of the value (in the open market London) of not less than £30 per ton. AUCKLAND WASTE LANDS BOARD. The following are payments to the members of Boards for this district:—Mr. J. May, £9; Mr. T. P. Moat, £147 Gs ; B. Tonks, £55 ; J. Baber, £U. RAILWAY REFORM. The Hon. Mr. Bryce to-day presented a. petition from the districts of Wanganui. Waverley, and Waitotara, praying for reform of railway management, and making complaints similar to those of Mr. Vaile. WHANGAREI HEADS. Mr. Mitchelson presented a petition from the settlers of Whangarei Heads, praying for telegraphic communication. They say that in certain emergencies, such as sickness, they are altogether shut out from the aid of rapid communication, so as to obtain medical aid. They pray that the House will give them some relief. Referred to the Public Petitions Committee. CHARITABLE AID BILL. A petition was presented to day from the chairman of the Waipa County Council, setting forth that the Auckland district as at present constituted is inconvenient, and praying that Waipa, Waikato, Raglan, and the borough of Hamilton shall bo constituted separate districts. A similar petition was presented from the Mangapiko Road Board. HOKIANGA NATIVES. The Hon. Mr. Ballance presented a petition from Ruka te Hura and others, claiming certain lands at Waipawa and Waitapu, Hokianga. MILITARY LAND CLAIMS. Dr. Newman to-day presented a petition from William Duffy, formerly of Auckland, and also a discharged soldier of the 65th Regiment. Referred to the Petitions Committee. NATIVE AND CROWN LANDS RATING. A return was laid on the table to-day showing the amounts certified ae payable to the local bodies in each provincial district for rates under the Crown and Native Land Act:—Auckland : £2895 10s Bd, Crown lands ; £3920 Us l()d, native landa : total, £tiSls 2s 6d.