CHINESE IMMIGRANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 15 November 1907, Page 3

CHINESE IMMIGRANTS.

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS''!

In the House ol Representatives on Wednesday evening the Premier moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Amendment Bill, stating that it was proposed to restrict immigration of 'Chinese by means of an education test.

.Mr Davey said the Bill would certain- f ly restrict the entry of the low class of Chinese, but would not retard the immigration of educated Chinese. These educated aliens were a greater menace than the lower class. He regretted that it was not possible to prohibit the entry of Chinese altogether. As such a ■ measure would not obtain the royal assent, he urged that the poll tax should be increased to £2OO. He added that he would move an amendment to this end in committee. ' The Premier, in reply, contended that 1 the provisions of the Bill would re- 1 strict immigration effectively, as cducat- ' ed Chinese were not coming into the country. The second reading was agreed to on the voice?. I-ater in the night the Bill was considered in committee. The Premier moved a new clause to provide that Chinese preachers, duly accredited to the satisfaction of the Colonial Secretary, should be exempted from the provisions of the Act—Agreed to. I ' Mr Fisher moved a new clause to increase t'ne poll tax from £IOO to C2OO. The Premier opposed the new clause. He raised a point of order that, as this proposal was for an increase of taxation it could only be introduced by Governors Message. "" The Chairman of Committees ruled that the amendment was in order. The Premier dissented, and the Speakers' ruling was taken. The Speaker ruled the new clause out of order. < : Mr Hone Heke moved a new clause to prohibit any person coming from China entering New Zealand. The chairman ruled the clause out of order. | Mr Heke moved to report progress in ( order to take the Speaker's ruling. The motion was negatived by 34 to >O. Mr Hornsby moved a new clause to . reduce the poll tax to £!)!). He asked [ members to support the amendment as . an indication that they desired the r |x>ll tax to be increased. The clause was rejected by 3a votes to 20. Mr Davey moved a new clause to provide that the provisions of this and the principal Aet should lapse on December 31st, 1017, after which no Chinese should be allowed to land in New Zealand.

The Premier [minted out that, if the clause were carried, it would mean that there would be no legislation placed on the Statute Book at all, as the royal assent would not be obtained.

Mr Davev's clause was rejected by 43 votes to 15.

The Kill with amendments was tTTeri "■ported.

Tlie ni-w Hill is on the lines promised liv Sir Joseph \\';ir,i recent speeches. I he Hill Stipulates that it shall not be lawful for my chines.,, to land in New Zealand until such Chinese has proved to a Customs oHirer that he is able "to rrad a printed passage of not less than inn words of the English n.mese who is ,17?satfcfie,l with"the do-"i-if.n of the Customs officer is given the ri«ht to appeal to a m igistrate. wlio is to administer siieh further test in readnir a« he thinks fit. The decision nf *l,e ma ? Mrnfe is f„ i )P fin(ll A m(|R _ jer nf a sl,j„ -vtir, permits a Chinese who I I- n,.f fulfilled the requirements of the \"f to land in Xew Zealand, i« made MfMe to a fme not exceeding '£.*>o. Clune-e who lands nr attempt to land n tins eountrv in defiance of the Act is .'so made subject to the pains an 3 penalties of the law.

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