GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13078, 14 September 1904, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13,

Tha. Council met at 2.30 p.m. , 'QHISESE IN THE TRANSVAAL. The Hon. 6. JONES resumed tho eta bate (in tho Attorney-general's motion regretting- the introduction of Chinosa labour into the Transvaal. Ho said he hoped the Council t would express most emphatic approval of the motion. Tho introduction of Chineso into the Rand was s> matterihat no true citizen could approve of. It was an infringement of national honour aud a breach of faith with tho wholo iiation. He contended that the mines couldf be worked at large proHt without the aid of Chinese labour, and their introduction into tho Transvaal was'a great tactical and diplomatic blunder on tho part of the Imperial Government. He. was loyal to the nation, but his fealty would cease if thero wero many more such actions on tho part of the British Government as that of tho introduction of Chinese into tho Transvaal.

The Hon. Mr TRASK said ho was not going to speak too strongly against tho motion, bccause he intended to vote for it. It was'no reason because Jvow Zealand had spent, money and blood in the Transvaal why this colony should dictate to tho Imperial government what should bo done there. Tho introduction of a small number of Chinese would do no great injury to tho Empire, no hoped the motion would have tho effect of preventing ill future the further introduction of Chineso into the Transvaal.

The Hon. W. JI. BOLT said tho introduction of Chineso into the Hand affected lis and tho I'lmpiro generally. Tho justification for interfering ill this matter was that colonists believed in the consolidation of tho Empire. Tho bringing in of Chnese in view of the large number of natives in tho country and tho disaffection of tho Boors was a danger to British rule in South Africa. There could bo no doubt of the bad effect of a degraded raeo like tho Chinese, entering the country. Tho Hon. Mr FKASKR contended that New Zealand had a right to discuss this question, seeing that tho colony had helped to acquire the Transvaal for Grcai Britain. The Hon. A. PITT, in replying, said if tho other colonies had takei? the same notion as New Zealand 12 months ago the Chinese ordinanco would never havo been sanctioned. Tho mine-owners objected to white labour bccause ultimately tho vote 3 of the white people would put an end to tho influence exercised by them upon tho Government of the Transvaal. Ho hoped tho result of this resolution, supplemented by similar resolutions from tho other colonies, would be that tho full number .of Chinese sanctioccd would not be introduced, that those there would bo withdrawn, and that the Transvaal would bo occupicd aud developed by white men. Tho Hon. Mr Arkwriglit's amendment of tho previous question was negatived by 17 to 6, aud tho motion was carried on. the voices. Tho Council rose at 4.25 p.m.

HOUSE OF EGPRESMTATIYES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13. Tho House set at 2.30 p.m.

BILL PASSED. Tho Stephen Colo Moule Trustees Em* powhing Bill' (Mr Witty) was put through its final stages.

FIRST READINGS. iTlio Eastbourne Road District Bill (Mr Wilford), tho Adoption of Children Act (1895) Amendment Bill (Mr Heke), and Wills Act Amendment Bill (fllr Heke) wero road, a first time.

THE COUNTIES BILL DROPPED. • It was reported that tlie third' conference with the Legislative Council had been unable to agree as to tho Council's amend, incnt in tho Counties Act Amendment Bill, and Sir J. G. WARD intimated tho Government's intention of dropping tho bill-