PARLIAMENTARY.

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 124, 19 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF BEPEESENTATTVES.

(PER UNITKD PRESS \SSOCIAfIOtf.) Weimngton, May 17.

The following Bills were introduced and read a first time :— Dr Fitchett- - A Bill for the Better Security of Mechanics and others erecting buildings and furnishing materials therefor. Sir G. Grey — The Limitation of Vote* Bill ; the Law Practitioners Bill ; the Contagious Disease Act Repeal Bill; the Eight Hours Bill. The Premier, in a lengthy speech, moved the second reading of the Loan Bill, which, after a debate, was car tied by 65 to 7. The Bill was then committed.

Mr Samuel moved a new clause similar to that of clause 19 in the Loan Bill of last session," providing that no money other than that provided for in the Bill should be borrowed during the next three years.— The Premier could not accept the clause. He considered the pledge given last session was quite effectual, — Mr Mills asked when an opportunity would be given for a proposal to reduce the North Island Trunk Sailway. Opportunity would be given for discussion of these matters when the Government's proposals were before the House. In answer to a question from Mr W. P. Beeves, the Premier said persons who had to deal with money were inclined to be very conservative, and it was on that account that he thought it best not to put the clause into the Bill. After some further discussion Mr Samuel withdrev his clause, stating that ne did not wish to press it after what the Premier had said.

The Bill w«s eventually agreed to without amendment.

Mr Hutchison moved to strike oat the words " for immigration" in the title when the Bill was reported, but withdrew the motion.

Both Bills were read a third tim« and passed, and the House rose at 1 o'clock.

May 18. On the motion for going into Committee on the Chinese Immigration Act Amendment Bill, Mr Hutchison spoke at considerable length, and contended that this colony should pause until some concerted action were taken by Victoria and other colonies. ;

Sir Harry Atkinson said it rested entirely with the House whether the Bill should be postponed till the result '■ of the conference which was now about to be held were known. He should not object to such a course, but would not recommend it.

Several members raised an objection to clause 12 (depriving Chinese not: natural born or naturalised of the right to vote), but on a division it was retained by 63 to 10, and the remainder of the Bill passed through Commifctee unaltered. The House then rose.