NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 38, 8 November 1907, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

A petition has boon presont'od to Parliament by Mr. Baumo on behalf of a number of Chinese. The petitioners asked for full rights and privileges as British subjects, and protested against the proposals of tho Eactqrios Act Amendment Bill. They' pointed out that a great quantity of the laundry work of tho Dominion wasMonc-by Chinese, and that if it were not for the members of that race such work would be carried out at a. great deal higher cost. Thoy state that tho new Bill .would "materially prejudico and injuro them," and they pray that it bo not enacted.

Mr. Aitken asked tho Minister for Marino whether ho was aware that a deal of dissatisfaction existed among masters of local fleets at the fact that if a captain of a steamer sailed ono man short ho was immediately proceeded against, whereas it often occurred that the troublo had arisen through men who had beon engaged failing to turn up prior to the sailing of tho vessel. The Minister replied that it was intended in the future, when proceedings wero taken against a, master for going to sea short of the required number, of men, that action also i>e taken under the Act against the men absenting themselves if they could be found.

"Under tho Railway Departments Classifiention Hill, which was introduced into tho Hoiiso last night, all schedules previously in existence are repealed and a now ono subsfcitutod. Tho schedule, whicliNis a lengthy one, covering all branches of tho servico, will be published in full to-morrow.