PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12660, 14 September 1904, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

■':': [by telegraph;—press ASSOCIATION.] . LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. :.''- :: Tuesday. The Council met at half-past two p.m. CHINESE IN TRANSVAAL. Mr. JONES resumed the debate on the Attorney-General's motion, regretting the introduction of Chinese labour in the Transvaal. He said he hoped the Council would express most emphatic approval of the motion. The introduction of the Chinese into the Rand was one no true citizen could approve. . It was an infringement of national honour and a breach of faith with the whole nation. He contended that the " y mines could be worked at a large profit without the aid of Chinese labour, and its introduction into the Transvaal was a great tactical f and diplomatic blunder, on the part of the I Imperial Government. He was loyal to ! the nation, but his fealty would cease if there I were many more such actions on the part I of the British Government as that of the ; introduction of Chinese into the Transvaal. I Mr. TRASK said it was.no reason, be- ! cause New Zealand had spent money and i blood in the Transvaal, that this colony should dictate to the Imperial Government wh«t should be done there. The introduction of a small number, of Chinese would dp no great injury to the Empire. He hoped the motion would have the effect of pre: venting in future the ; further introduction of the Chinese into the Transvaal. - v ~ .Mr. BOLT said the introduction of Chinese into the Rand affected us and ; the Empire generally. The justification for interfering in this matter was that colonists believed in the consolidation of the Empire. The bringing in of Chinese in view of the large number of natives in the country and the disaffection of the Boers was a danger, to British rule in South Africa. ;,'' There could be no doubt of the bad effect of a degraded race like the Chinese entering the country. ~' ~. : * .■:;..: Mr. PHASER contended that New Zealand had a right to. discuss the question, seeing that the colony had helped to acquire the Transvaal for Great Britain. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in replying, said if the other colonies had taken! the same action as New Zealand 12 months ago the Chinese ordinance would never have been sanctioned-' The mineowners objected to white labour, because ultimately the votes; of the white people ; would put an end to; the influence exercised by t'Jbem upon the Government of the Transvaal. * He hoped the result of this resolution, supplemented by similar resolutions from other colonies, would be that the full number lof Chinese sanctioned would not be introduced, that those there would be withdrawn, and that the Transvaal would be occupied aid developed by white men. . Mr. Arkwright's amendment of the previ- v ous question was negatived by 17 to 6, and the motion was carried on the voices. The Council rose '• at twenty-five minutes past four p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. , ■ Tuesday. ■ The House met at half-past two p.m. PINAL STAGES. The Stephen Cole Moule Trustees Empowering Bill (Mr.. Witty) was put through its final stages. i FIRST READINGS. The Eastbourne Road District Bill (Mr. Wilford), the Adoption of Children Act, 1895, Amendment Bill (Mr. Heke), and the Wills Act Amendment Bill (Mr. Heke), were read a first time, -COUNTIES BILL. It was reported that the third conference with- the Legislative Council had been, unable to agree as to the Council's amendment in the Counties Act Amendment Bill, and Sir J. Ward intimated the Government's intention of dropping the Bill. [The House then went into committee on the Licensing Bill. A report of the discussion will be found in another column.] ■