HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1842, 16 May 1888, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Toesday, May 15. The House met at 2 30 p.m. sir harry Atkinson's knighthood. Mr E. Richardson said that, as an old member of the Home, be thought he might be allowed to tiler hin sincere congratulations to Sir Harry Atkinsrn on the high honor which had recently been conferred on him by Hec Majesty. In doing so ha paid a high tribute to Sir Harry Atkinson's qualities a3 a soldier and statesman, and eald that, however much they might differ from him on political grounds, they mint all admire his personal good qaalities and worth. He (Sir Hurry Atbic«,/i) had no doabt eeen many a younger man than himself honored m a similar manner, and he was quite Bure the House would now join m offering the Premier its hearty congratulations on his knighthood. j

Sir John HaU Bald that was an old colleague of Sir Harry Atkinson, and also an old member of the House, perhaps he might be allowed to say a few words. It was very gratifying to him (Sir John Hall) that the very firat ocn^ra'.nlation offered to the Premier should coma from the Opposition benches, and it showed that whatever their political differences they were always ready to pay a tribute to their public men on personal ground?, Mr Richardson had referred to the Premier's services m the field, but young members of the House had no idea of the real value of those services. He had held a most distinguished position as a leader of hla fellow colonists m the troublous times of the colony, and the services he had rendered wonld never be forgotten. The Premier had brought the same qualities which distinguished him m the fi-ld, into the service of tie State, and had applied the came energy to the management of the finances of the colony. They might not all concur m tho Premier's views, but all mußt admit that tl;e honorable gentleman had used his great talents for the good of the country, and had worked most industriously for the colony. He (Sir John Hall) thought all woi:ld agree m the hope that Sir Harry Atkinson might live long to enjoy the honor conferred on him by Hgt Majesty. Mr Pyke, ac an independent member of the House, also congratulated the Premier on the honor conferred on him, and said he was surprised that the honor had n t been oonferred on him lone; Binco. He considered that Sic Harry Atk'neoD, by his eerviceß m the field and to the Biat», had done more to deserve recognition than any other who had received it. Sir Harry Atkinson eaid that a man should give the boat of his public services to the colony, whatever difference of opinion there m'ght be aa to the manner m which those services should bo recognised by tho Sovereign. There was one thing that he valued more thin the distinction itself, and that waß the universal goodwill which hud been expressed by hie fellow-colonis'B on the occasion of the honor being conferred upon Mti. Ec also valued very deeply tho expression of opinion by tho House, as it showed they recognised that the good of the colony could only be . worked out by honest diversity of opinion Whether the distinction was a euitablo one or not was open to question m the circumstances of the colony, but ho thought tho time had arrived when the serviceß of public men should be recognised, not by thi*B distinction, but by being made Privy Councillors of the Empire. That, he thought, would bo very appropriate, as drawing them still closer to tho Mother Country. Ho thanked the Houee sincerely for its congratulations, and ho also wished to thank his friends who had spoken on the subject, ~ QDBSTIO V B. Replying to questions it was stated that common jurora oould not receive further remuneration at preeont ; that a general Act existed at present with respect to the closing of cametorlea In larger ' towDB, t>rd Government were unwilling to interfere with local bodies m the matter ; ihnt if prfz) fights wore found to be a public nulsnnoo Government wonld have them stopped. THE CHINESE IMMIGRANTS AOT AMENDMENT BILL The Premier nuved the ecoond reading of the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendt ment Bill. He said Government were endeavoring to get the other colonies to agree m appealing (o the Imperial Government for a treaty Blmilar to that adopted between America and China. Mr Samuel gthought the Bill a very proper one, and that it should paaß. Mr Ballanoe thought that Great Britain would not consent to a treaty on the same basis aa that of the United States, as that oountry was nnder no obligation to China, nor had it, like Great Britain, a great power like Russia threatening It on all sides. He also thooght that the capitation to be paid by Chinamen should be raised to £50. Mr Brace was surprised that such a Urge question had not received more attention from tha older members of the Houße. The introduction of this measure was neither wlae nor expedient, as tho whole question was now engaging the attention of the Imperial Government. He did not believe that they were abou to suffer from any nndua Influx of Chinese at present. He saw no noooaeity whatever for this Bill. Mr Keeves (St. Albanu), Mr Oadman, and Mr Seddon, supported the Bill. Dt Hodgklrßon thought an increase of the polltox would be a better way" of dealing with the difficulty than this Bill. The motion for tre recond reading was oarrled on the voices. The House adj corned till 2.30 next day