PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 181, 31 July 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Wellington, July 31. The Drawbacks Bill was last night amended so as to exempt ale, porter, and beer from drawbacks, and extending the drawbacks to goods repacked in original packages in the presence of a Customs officer. The Life Assurance Companies Bill was amended; its provisions being extended to the Government system. Companies merely receiving premiums on policies issued prior to the passing of the Act to be exempted. The House passed a resolution in favor of the introduction of Australian wines duty free, or at a low duty. Mr J. Sbephard moved a resolution expressing regret at the conduct of the Government in suggesting the introduction of Chinese labor. Mr Orruond said that the Governncent never intended to introduce Chinese, but merely desired to elicit opinion on the question. Mr Curtis said that he distinctly understood Mr Orroond's circular to mean that the works could not be proceeded with without Chinese labor. He regretted that it had been deemed necessary to write it, as he considered the Chinese to be a most undesirable class; quiet when numerically weak, turbu'ent when strong. Mr. Macandrew thought the circular was a great blunder, but that it had done little injury. The motion was negatived. A return of all sums paid to newspaper offices for advertising and printing was agreed to.