EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12961, 14 November 1907, Page 8

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. FLOUR DUTY. The amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Flour Duty Abor lition Bill were agreed to. THE YELLOW PERIL. The PREMIER, in moving the second reading 'of the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill, stated that it wae proposed to restrict the immigration of Chinese by means of the- education test, Chinese entering being required to submit to a test of one hundred words in.English. If immigrants were not satisfied they had the right of appeal to a magistrate. Another provision was that a penalty of £50 wne imposed on the captain of any ship allowing Chinese to land in New Zealand without authority. Mr MASSEY, in supporting tho Bill, pointed out the trouble that existed in America through the immigration of Chinese. Mr DAVEY said the proposal would certainly restrict the low class of but would not retard the immigration of higher educated Chinese, who would be nble to pass tho test These higher educated aliens were a creator menace than the lower claee. He regretted that it was not possible to prohibit the entry of Chinese altogether, as such measuro would not obtain the Royal assent. He urgorl that the poll-tax should bo increased to £200 os a further precautiomiT measure, and lie would move an amendment to this end in committee. The PREMIER contended that the provisions of the Bill would restrict immigration effectively, as educated Chinese wero not coming into tho country. Tho second reading was agreed to on tho voices. Mr R. McKENZIE moved that it bo an instruction to the committee to raise the poll-tox on Chinese to £500. The SPEAKER ruled this out of order. DIVORCE LAWS. , The PREMIER, in moving the second reading of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Bill, explained that the Bill repealed section 11 of the Act of 1904, which made it practicable to ofotain a divorce on the ground of desertion (by collusion) in six months. Such case? had been so numerous, he said, that they had become a public, scandal, and this Bill was introduced to put a stop to such proceedings. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. DAIRY COMPANIES. Mr McNAB, in moving the second reading of the Co-operative, Dairy Companies Bill, explained that provision was made under the Bill for companies to purchase surrendered shares and re-issuo them. Tho Bill, he added, had been nekt'd for by shareholders, suppliers, and directors of wmranics. Tfio sfv-ond reading was ngreed to on the voices.

■■HEERDUTY.', ! n-?i°!i I>x, . r . D,,t J-Act Amendment i Bill, tho provisions of which hare already pubhsWd Mr HAN.VX strongiy urged that nolicense m lnvcrcnrp.iU should be civon n tnir tr.nl. oml no devices or unfair methods should 1*- tolerated whkh interfered ivith ite effective operation, or thtrartpd the mU of the peodo m expressed at tho noil. The beer d*ix)ts should certainly bo removed. MILLAR, in reply, explained that he desired to end the position in lnvernirßill. where the browere had practically defied tho Customs Depart-mr-nt. Tim second rending was agreed to on the voices. STAMPING MACHINES. The PREMIER moved the second reading of tho Post Office Act Amendment Mill, which provides for tb« use of recording stamping machines for postal pockets, telegrams, and receipts. Agreed to on tho voices. STATUTES REPEAL. Mr McNAB moved the second reading of the Statutes Repeal Bill, which originated in the Lepislativo Council. Agreed to on the voiore. PARLIAMENTARY TITLES. Tlie PREMIER moved tho second rea<ling of the Pnrliumentarj- and Exoeutive. Titles Bill, -nhkh prbvkles for tho a!)olition of th« title of Colonial Treasurer, and tlie. (substitution of Minister of Finance in its place; tho nbolition of the title of Colonial"Secretary, and the substitution of Minister of Internal Affairs; and tho substitution of Member of Parliament for member of tho House, of Representatives. The second reading trae agreed to on the voices. BILLS IN COMMITTEE. In Committee on tho Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill, The. PREMIER, moved a now clause to provide that Chinese preachers, duly accredited to the satisfaction of the Colonial Secretary, shall be exempted from the provisions of the Act. This A\as agreed to. Mr FISHER moved a tiotv clause to '""ease the poll tax from £100 to £200. The PREMIER opposed the new clause, and raised a point of orderthat ac this was an increase of taxation, it could only be introduced by Governor's Message. Tho CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES ruled that the amendment wae in order. Tho PREMIER dissented, and the •Speaker's ruling -was taken. The .SPEAKER ruled the new clause out of order. Mr HJEKE moved a new clause to prohibit any person coming from China entering New Zealand. Tho CHAIRMAN ruled the clause out of order. Mr HEKE morod to report progress in order to take the Speaker's rulinfi. The motion was negatived by 37 votes to 20. Mr HORNSBY moved a new clause to reduce the poll tox to £99. He asked members to support him, ac an indication that the House desired the poll tax to bo increased. The clause wae rejected by 35 rotes to 20. Mr DAVEY moved a new ckuie to provide that tho provisions of thie and the principal Act shall lapse on December 31st, 1917. after which no Chinese shall be allowed to land in hmr Zealand. Tho PREMIER pointed out that if the clause were carried, it would mean that no legislation will be placed on the Statute Book at all, as the Royal assent would not be obtained to it. Mr DAVEY'S clause wae rejected by 43 votes to 15. The House went into committee on tho Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Bill. Mr HORNSBY moved an amendment that non-compliance with en order for restitution of conjueal rights ehall not be deemed to constitute desertion until it has continued for twelve month*. This was rejected by 42 votes to 4. . The Bill was still under consideration when the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m.