GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1738, 17 May 1888, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

On Tuesday the Speaker took jhe chair at 2.30 p.m.

Mr PbarsEjn, in moving the Address in Reply, hoped that Government would deal with the Chinese difficulty in a rational and decided manner. He con* siderad it would be a good thing for the colony if the railway between Auckland and Wellington were hung up,—Mr Dignan briefly seconded the motion.— In the debate which followed Mr Waterhouse, Sir G. Whitmore, and Mr McLean also expressed the hope that the railway between Wellington and Auckland would be deferred for the present.—The debate was adjonrnad, and the Conneil rose at 5 o’clock till 2,30 p.m. on Wednesday, •

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. On Tuesday the House met at 2.30 p.m.

Mr E, Richardson, Sir John Hail, aid Mr Pyke congratulated Sir Harry Atkinson on the honor of knighthood conferred upon him, and Sir Harry briefly replied.

Replying to questions it was stated that common jurors could not receive further remuneration at present; that' a general Act exiited at present with respect to the closing of cemeteries in larger towns, and Government were onwilling to interfere with local bodies in the matter *, that if prize fights were found to be a public nuisance Government would have them stopped,

The Premier moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment bill. He said Government were endeavoring to get the other colonies to agree in appealing to the Imperial Government for a treaty similar to that adopted between America and China.

Mr Samuels thought the Bill a very proper one, and that it should pass* Mr Ballance thought that Great Britain would uot conaent to a treaty on the same basis as that with the United States, as that country wag under no obligation to Chios, nor had It, like Great Britain, a great power like Russia threatening it on all sides. He also thought that the capitation to be paid by Chinamen should be raised to £SO. Mr Bruce thought the introduction of thia measure waa neither wise not expedient, as the whole queatiou was n«w engaging the attention of the Imperial Government. He did not believe that they were about to suffer from any undue influx of Chinese at preaent, He saw no necessity whatever for this Bill. Mr Reeves (St. Albans), Mr Cadman, and Mr Ssddon supported the Bill.

The motion for the second reading Was carried on the voices.

The Homo adjourned till 2,30 next day.