PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1844, 14 June 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(raOM OUB BFKIOAL DOBBEBPOHDBNT.) NEW ZEALAND FLAX. On Thursday in the House of Represents* lives Mr Johnston asked the Government it to further encourage the manufacture of New Zealand flax into fibre for export, they will oiler a bonus of £2OOO, such bonus to be payable to the person who shall first, within twelve mouths from the present time, export, at a cost not exceeding £ls per ton ou board ship, fifty tons of fibre of (he value in the open market in London of not less than £3O per ton. 1 The Premier did not know that the Government could go to the extent suggested. The matter would be considered. , ECONOMY. Mr Brown’s motion, for the appointment [ of two gentlemen to inquire into and report i upon the best means of enforcing economy in i the Civil Service, was lost on the voices. i DCO BEOISTEATION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr McMillan moved the second reading 1 of this Bill, which empowers local bodiet to tax dogs up to LI. This, be said would suable 1 sporting dogs to be highly taxed. Major Atkinson supported the Bill, and in doing so called the attention of the Government to an injustice caused in bis district by * want of inspection of dogs in Native districts. ; The Natives in that district, be contended, should be subject to the same law as the ’ Europeans. After further debate the second * reading of the Bill was carried. , LIMITATION OF VOTES BILL. This (Sir George Grey's) Bill was comr milled. Mr Barron moved an amendment 9 to strike ont the word “ two ’’ with a view > of substituting "one” (relating to the nnmi her of votes to which a man should be entitled). 9 On the question that the word “ two ” stand, ' the Committee divided. Ayes, 25 ; noes, 81, I Word struck out. The word " one ” waa i then substituted. The penalty for breach of E the Act was fixed at one month, instead ol i twelve months, as suggested. Ultimately the i Bill was repot ed with amendments and U>* ; third reading fixed for Ist July. | PACIFIC ISLANDS. Sir George Grey moved, That this House [ concurs in the report of the Pacific islands , Committee, who had passed a resolution to I the effect, " That it is desirable that ao ar- , rangemeut should be concluded between Eng- , land, France, Germany, and the United States neither to occupy nor auuex my island or islands in the Western Pacific Ocean. If possible the recognition of this convention by other Powers should be obtained” In tha , course ol an eloquent speech Sir George , Grey said •* he believed that if England, Germany, Fin ce, and the United State* held a eon vet non and decided that no Power should am ex the Island a—that the Islands should be allowed to develop themselves ;that the seas should b> cieareh of corsairs who outraged the inhabitants of ihe Islands ; and that Commissioners he am oh te l to s-e that these decisions were ol served A this was done, ho saw a great and gloiious future for the inlands. They vvoiii.l cM.i'.li.-l :heir o.va forms of Govenimem, and fonn a i>'-iceiul empire of commerce whose poiu would tie open to all nations. JJo believed that Germany and France wuu.d follow Great Britiiu in this matter, and the remit would be a great credit tolhie Parli iment,” The Firmer opposed tne motion, After some fuit .or debate Mr Scobie MacKensie moved a series of amendments to the effect that Great Britain should withdraw all opposition to the acquisition by France of the. New Hebrides Islands, on condition—(«) I hat no more convicts of any class he sent by France to any of her possessions in the Western Pacific, (b) T hat piolcction, religion. freedom, and peacenh.e possession of their lights noil property ■ he gu.uanted to all British subjects residing in the New Hchiidcs. (c) l at freedom of trade mill oommen e he guaranteed to British subjects equally with those of France, (d) TTi.it the Isoiod of li -pa he et J-d bv France toGie.i Britain. LT'snnitely the debate on the subject was adjourn--t to nx= Wednesday and the House rose at 11 do. 3 UI.oE FENTON. On Friday in the House of Representative* a petition was presented from Judge Fenton praying for an enquny into tlooges mad* against him in the Atnoniy General’s memoatuium of a recent date, with respect to certain native lands transactions It wu stated by the Colonial Treasmer that thecas* would be referred to an impoitial com* raittee. Xißomx. The Colonial Treasurer, in answer to lit Biist, said the Government would ooi.iider the advisability of renewing the offer to give ft bonus for tbe)production of kerosene oil. NATIVE LANDS ADMINISTRATION BILL. The adjourned debate on the second reading of thie Bill was resumed. Mr BryceeriiicUid ihe Bill at length, and Mr Ormond followed in the same strain. The debate was continued it considerable length, and ultimately the second reading of the Bill wu carried. The Bill has been referred to the Native Affair* Committee. GOLD EXPOBT DUTY ABOLITION BILL, The second reading of this BUI waa carried, anthe Hence rise at I a.ns.