Parliamentary Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 13, 20 July 1888, Page 13

Parliamentary Notes.

Wednesday ntll.— ln the Council it was stated that the con. ference on the Chinese Bill had failed to come to an agreement. The point on which the disagreement rests is that relating to the amendment made in the Bill to the effect that natural born or naturalised subjects of the Queen should not be recognised as Chinese. This a loophole made by the Council for neutralising the whole measure and making it possible for Chinamen to overrun the Colony notwithstanding all restrictive legislation. They need only arraoge matters ia Hong-Kong previous to setting out on their travels and all wonld then be cany to them. It is evidently the in tendon of the Council tha f Chinese immigration shall flourish. The debate on the second reading of the Customs Duties Bill was resumed. Mr. Pharazyn condemned the proposed tariff as a specious blunierand worse than a crime. Mr. McLean said the Government had not gone far enough with retrenchment and that reductions might still be made in the education vote and in the railway department. The debate was again adjourned. Ia the House the motion for the second reading of the Native Land Bill was agreed to. Mr. Mitchelson said the Bill would give the Natives what was called free-trade in Native land. Mr. Pratt and Mr. Taipuaoppoeed the Bill, especially as making provision for taxing such lands. Thursday, lath.— The Customs Duties Bill was passed by the Council.— ln the House Mr. Pyke moved tbat the Otago Central Railway Bill should be committed. The motion was opposed vigorously by Sir George Giey, who denounced tbe Bill as an attempt to rob the unborn millions of their inheritance, and proposed that tenders should be called for so that tbe line might be made on the co-operation system. Mr. Pish also opposed the motion, which Dr. Fitchett supported, and which was finally agreed to. In committee, however, a still more Tiolent opposition was offered, especially by Sir George Grey, who expressed his readiness to speak all night if "any good would come of bis doing bo. Mr. Pyke defended his undertaking vigorously, and declared that if the Bill did not pa9B, the whole population of the interior of Otago would leave the country. Friday, 13th, — The Mining Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. — The report of the committee appointed by the Council to inquire into the bearings of the totalisator states that, although the trade of the bookmakers has been almost extinguished, a greater number of persons are tempted to gamble for small sums. The committee recommends that the evil of gambling should be diminished by restricting the number of race-meetings.— Members friendly to Bible-reading in the schools are bestirring themselves to obtain an Amendment of the Act, for the purpose of providing for Scripture lessons, in school hours with a conscience clause.— The Wellington Post condemns the opposition given to the Otago Central Bill, especially by Sir George Grey, who it says, seems to be actuated by a love of mischief only, and accuses the Government of bad faith in the opposition to the Bill, now openly B'iown by them. Tuesday, 17.— The Fair Rent Bill was committed.— A debate took place, resulting in an adjournment, on Mr. Withy's amemdment for a further retrenchment of £100,000 a ypar.— Sir George Grey is reported as favourable to the coast ruction of the Otago Central line, but adverse to the proposed land graut. He proposes a, plan for the sale of debentures, the purchasers having tbe double security of the Government and the land. This he says would give employment and keep in tbe colony the money expended on the construction of the line.