IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (Per Press Association.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1894, 9 March 1888, Page 16

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (Per Press Association.)

London, March 1.

M. Flourens, French Minister of the Interior, replying to the reproaches cast upon him by certain members of the Chamber of Deputies as to his action in settling the New Hebrides question with the British Ambassador, denied that he had in any way sacrificed any interests in the New Hebrides which France was fairly entitled to claim. M. Flourens added, with reference to the rumours of a dispute with England over the group, that no one anticipated that any conflict with England could arise over the question.

The Secretary of State for War, in his Army Estimates, proposes to expend, over a term of three years, the sum of £3,000,000 in military defence of mercantile ports and coaling stations. £835,000 is to be spent on the latter, including £28,000 on armaments at Albany and Thursday Island. The War Office hopes to despatch guns to all the coaling stations this year with the exception of two.

The Army Estimates amount to the sum of £10,700,000.

March 2.

In the House of Commons Sir James Fergusson, Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated that no fresh agreement had been made between the Powers interested with respect to Samoa, but intimated that the rights of British subjects there would not be impaired. In the House of Commons Sir Charles Russell, M.P. for Hackney, moved that a committee be appointed " to inquire into the right of the Government to prohibit meetings in Trafalgar square." In the discussion which followed Mr Matthews, Home Secretary, said the Government accepted the responsibility of their action, and declared the sole reason for prohibiting meetings was to prevent a saturnalia and disorder. The further discussion of the motion was adjourned. The vote for the purchase cf a ship for Government work in New Guinea was withdrawn. Lord Randolph Churchill and Mr Gladstone objected to it, alleging that it was improperly included in the Supplementary Estimates until proof was available that the colonies had ratified the agreement regarding New Guinea. Lord Randolph insisted that the Queensland Government ought to pay all cost if they wanted to colonise New Guinea, but Baron de Worms replied that Queensland had fulfilled her engagements, and it was incumbent on England to fulfil hers. ;

In the House of Commons this evening Mr Matthews, Home Secretary, said the Government would treat the motion tabled by Sir Charles Russell, M.P. for Hackney, with reference to prohibiting meetings in Trafalgar square, as a vote of censure on the action of the Government if agreed to by the House. The New Guinea vote has been placed on the Estimates, and it is almost certain the vote will be agreed to. The Government expect a large majority on the motion tabled by Sir Charles Russell. Over 100 Unionists cordially supported the amended procedure rules, which so far are working excellently.

March 3.

Sir Chailes Russell's motion for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the right of the Government to prohibit meetings in Trafalgar square was negatived by a majority of 92. Earl March has resigned his seat for Chichester.

March 4.

In the House of Commons Mr Bradlaugh, M.P. for Northampton, moved for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the conduct of the police in stopping the meetings in Trafalgar square. After a brief discussion the motion was rejected by a majority of 115.

March 6

The Naval Estimates brought down by the Admiralty provide for an auxiliary squadron of five protected cruisers and two 19-knot torpedo gunboats, having all the latest designs in sharpshooting guns. The cost will be between £800,000 and £900,000. The Estimates also show that the sum of £500,000 will be required for the next financial year. The boats are to be completed in two years.

(Special to Press Association.) London, February 28.

In the course of a discussion in the House of Commons on a motion tabled by Mr H. S. King, member for Hull, to the effect that responsible government should not be granted to Western Australia, Baron de Worms, Political Secretary for the Colonies, said that the Government did not intend to grant responsible government over the whole territory of Western Australia until the present population, which was about 30,000, has largely increased, and until Parliament possessed sufficient data to enable it to renew the policy proposed by the Government in dealing with the subject.

February 29.

Eight of the procedure rules have been adopted, and five now remain to be dealt with. There is not likely to be any opposition over the remaining rules. Mr Edward Harrington, member for Kerry, strongly opposed the proposed rule increasing the Speaker's power in dealing with cases of gross misconduct. The rule in question empowers the Speaker to suspend or expel any member guilty of gross misconduct. The '■' sweating system " with its attendant evils is as yet unrestricted, owing to foreign immigration. The question has been discussed by the House of Lords, who urge as a means to stamp out the evil improved sanitarism, registration of _ workshops, greater supervision by factory inspectors, and the establishment of a system of four years' apprenticeship. Foreign paupers are induced to come to England by offers of work when there is absolutely none except under the sweating system, which renders them mere slaves and leaves them to starve. A select committee has been appointed by the House of Lords to deal with the question.

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