IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7996, 27 April 1904, Page 2

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

THE UNDESIRABLE ALIENS IMMIGRATION BILL. ; United Prets Associa^on— By Electrie Telegrapc— Copyright. (Received April 27, 7.53 *.m.) LONDON, April 26. In the House of Commons, Sir Charles Dilke moved an amendment to the Undesirable Aliens Immigration Bill, that the House, before assenting thereto, assures itSelf that the Aliens Bill -will safeguard the principle of Britain being an asylum for .the victims of -persecution. The amendment was negatived by 241 votes to 117, and the second reading was agreed tb. . I During the debate Sir Charles Dilke urg- ' ed that the evils of cheap alien labour would be best met by anti-sweating legislation. ! Mr Asquith declared that the Bill was unworkable and at variance with the noblest British traditions. He was willing to empower the Courts to expel convicted aliens, but the overcrowding question was a matter for legislation. During the debate on the Undesirable Aliens Bill, Mr Long said that the Bill simply regulated alien immigration. National, not local, victims of persecution, would always be assured of an asylum. Mr Henry Norman and Major Gordon Buxton warmly supported the Bill. Mr . Akers-Douglas, who introduced the measure, emphasised the safeguard provided in Parliamentary criticism of the administration.