New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-29
THE KNUTsFORD BILL IN THE HOUSE.

A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL FOR ITS SECOND
READING ABANDONED AFTER DEBATE.
London. May os-In the House of Commons to-day
tbe Government leader, William Henry Smith, answer
ing a question in regard TO Newfoundland sad tat on
tho nronise of the Newfoundland delegates that bill
would be passed to carry out the modus vivendi ana
the award of the arbitration commission under te ouS
uiverdi agreement the Government proposed that the
Knutsford bill shond be read second time (Which MT
smith hoped would be done without oppostloh)' anu phe
Government would to postpone the next stage Oh
the bin for three weeks. II by that time Mr. Sn'1
added the Colonial Legislature should have psed suh
measure as the one promised by the delegates the
Government would withdraw the Knutsford BILL Mr.
smith then moved the second reading Of the Knusford
bill.
Sir William Vernon Harcolrt deprecated the course
which the Government had adopted In not allowing the
oueston to be settled without insisting upon reading the
Knutsford bill for the second time. He also protested
against the manner in which the Cooilal olhce Hiau
treated tho Newfoundland delegates.
The motion for adjournment was then put. and was
defeated.
Mr.. Matthews. Secretary Of state for the Home
Department said that Great Britains agreement with
France made the approval of Parliament necessary,
and the delegates having assented to the second read
Ing Of the bill, the House ought to DO So
Mr. Smith hoped that the House would agree to
the second reading of the Knutsford bill. which, he
said would be accepted by France as an approval OF
the agreement. The Government, he added, felt the
greatest possible sympathy for the intoeraoe positon
NJ Newfoundland, which was owing to existing
treaties The Government, continued Mr. Smith, had
denied from first 10 last that the French had any
right TO the lobster fisheries. and the coming arbitra
ton would assist in determining this dispute. and
would be an effective step toward the relief of New
foundland.
James Bryce QibeTaD, member for tho south
Division Of Aberdeen, moved that the House. taking
into consideration the fact that the Newfoundland
LEGISLATURE had passed satisfactory act declaring It's
readiness to support the measures necessary to carry
ont the treaty obligations and the awards of the
bitratiop commissioners, there no necessity to
nroceed with the second reading Of the Knutsford
bill.
Mr. Smith said that the Government had no official
evidence that the necessary measure had been passed
bv the Newfoundland Legislature; but If Mr. Bryce
,rould amend his motion as 10 begin with the
words The House Of Commons having been informed
that the Legislature of Newfoundland" etc, the Gov
eminent would be willing 10 accede to the motion not
90 nrnceed with the second reading. (Cheers1
Mr. Bryce accepted the amehulheh'' anu hih ho
ton was then approved -, . -.
The Newfoundland delegates were all present, "alt-
ing 10 be heard at the bar OF the liouse. The gai
inrles were crowded with people interested In the
Newfoundland question. After the forrnates OF sir
vjIiian, Whitevay's address were completed, as the
virfnal dropping of the Government bl was entirely
nney nected the House soon enpued: The COM
promise due 10 the efforts OF slr "hhaEt feFhon
HarcOurt and staVeey HILL