IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 16

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(Pjsk Peess Association.) London, February 22.

In the House of Commons Dr Charles Cameron, member for Glasgow College, moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, deploring the absence from the Speech of any mention of the intention on the part of the Government to introduce remedial measures for the relief of the crofters in the Hebrides. In the course of the debate which came on last night, the Government declared that the law must be upheld in Lewis, but that they would be prepared to assist those crofters who might be desirous of emigrating to the colonies.

After a lengthy discussion the amendment was negatived by a majority of 61. February 23. In the House of Commons the Address-in-Reply was adopted.

Mr Labouchere moved that an assurance was required from England to the effect that the reported Anglo-Italian alliance, which had not been officially contradicted, was not 'hostile to France.

Sir James Fergusson, Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs, in reply denied that the Government had contracted a military or naval engagement with Italy, and also ridiculed the idea that any hostility was displayed by either nation to France. He expressed the opinion that the peace of Europe at the present time was more assured than a year ago. He admitted that there hadbeen private parleying between England and the other Powers. Mr Gladstone said that the assurances given by Sir James were satisfactory, and he was quite satisfied that Lord Salisbury's foreign policy was generally sound. After discussion, Mr Labouchere withdrew his motion, his object having been effected by the debate.

In the House of Commons Mr James Rankin, M.P. for Leominster, intends to ask the Government if they will convene the Colonial Conference to discuss the colonisation scheme recently submitted to the colonial Governments by the Colonial Office.

In the House of Commons Sir James Fergusson, Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs, made a statement in connection with the recent expulsion of the Rev. Mr Jones from the New Hebrides. The French Government declare that the reason Mr Jones was expelled was on account of his activity in propagating a proposal to have the group annexed to Australia despite the warning given him by the French authorities. February 24.

In the House of Commons an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, moved by the Right Hon. J. G. Shaw-Lefevre, deploring the absence of any mention in the Speech from the Throne of measures dealing with the question of arrears of rent in Ireland, was

negatived by a majority of 95. The debate on the Address-in-Reply has been concluded. Mr H. S. King, M.P. for Hull, has given notice of motion to the effect that the House of Commons should not approve of responsible government being granted to Western Australia. (Special to Press Association.) London, February 22. In the course of the debate on the crofters difficulty in Lewis (Hebrides), Mr A. J. Balfour, formerly Secretary for Scotland in Lord Salisbury's Government, declared that emigration was the only solution of the difficulty. February 24. In the House of Commons Baron de Worms, who represents the Colonial Office, replying to Mr James Rankin, M.P. for Leominster, stated that there was no urgent necessity for convening another colonial conference to discuss the system of colonisation as proposed by the Colonial Office.