ANTI CHINESE LEGISLATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 18 November 1907, Page 2

ANTI CHINESE LEGISLATION.

In (he House on Friday, the Premier moved the third reading of the Chinese Immigrants Amendment Bill. Mr. Hornsby moved an amendment, "That the third reading lie postponed in order that the (iovornment mad reconstruct the Bill and impose a higher poll-tax—namely, £2oo—on every Chinese entering the country." I The. Premier, in opposing the amendment, referred members to the statement' appearing in the Financial Statement that a high tax did not retard Chinese, but that the most effective course was to impose an educational lest.

The amendment was negatived by 50 votes to 10.

The Bill was read a third time and passed on the voices. The Factories Act Amendment Bill was further considered in committee in the Legislative Council on Friday. The Attorney-General staled that lie had consulted' with the Minister _ for Labor about clause 10, and ascertained that the Hon. Mr. Millar was of opinion that it was too drastic. He (the At-torney-General) accordingly moved to have it amended as follows:—No premises the occupier or intended occupier of which is a person of the Chinese race shall hereafter he registered as a factory under the authority of the principal Act. This section shall not apply to any person of the Chinese race who is resident in New Zealand at the time of the passing of this Act. The Hon. J. Rigg protested against the modification of the clause. After considerable discussion the new clause moved by the Attorney-General was agreed to by 22 votes to 4. A motion proposed by Mr. Rigg to exempt naturalised Chinamen from the operation of the clause was lost on the voices. The Bill was reported with amendments and passed.