Evening Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3889, 16 June 1881, Page 2

Evening Sitting.

The House resumed at 7.30. Sir W. Fox resumed the debate on the Licensing Bill, which he characterised as a retrogade measure, inasmuch as it failed to give full effect to the principle of local option, which the House had affirmed. Col. Trimble considered coercive measures unnecessary to promote sobriety, as natural causes are lessening drinking habits. Mr Dick, having replied briefly the bill was read a second time. La.teb. discussion on the chinese immigration bill. In the House last night, Major Atkinson moved, the second reading of the Chinese Immigration Bill. He said at present there were 4660 Chinese in the colony, and the bill, imposing £10 a head on all new arrivals, would come into force as soon as 5000 were here. The measure was not very urgent now, hut it was desirable to take precaution in time.

Sir Wm. Fox opposed the bill as uncalled for, and contrary, he believed, to the Empire's treaty obligations. The Chinese were a law-abiding and unoffensive people, and the cry to exclude them proceeded from miners and artisans who feared their competition.

Colonel Trimble asked how the bill would effect Chinese naturalised elsewhere.

Mr Turnbull condemued the bill as unwise and unnecessary. Mr Murray also opposed the bill. Mr Fulton was astonished at such a bill being proposed in a free country. Mr Shepherd strongly supported the bill> alluding to the vice aud diseases of the Chinese, and pointing out that they had no family ties, and did not become settlers. ' '

Mr Swanspn thought tb.e law of selfpreservation should make us prevent our own people being swamped by Chinese competition. He quoted Mr tfreighton, a late member of the House, as an authority that the Chinese were a great curse in America.

Sir George Grey concurred in the exclusion of the Chinese, but saw no reason for allowing the margin of 5000 to be in the colony. Mr Whitaker supported the bill on the ground that while European civilisation was progressing the Chinese were a stagnant race, and contact with them could not fail to be injurious. Mr Hall thought the disgusting habits of the Chinese a strong reason tor their exclusion. They brought neither wives or families, and were not any use as colonists.

Mr Andrews supported the bill, and so did Mr Hutchioson, who characterised the opposition to the bill as proceeding from a desire of the rich to grind down the poor and to create lower wages. The bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at 11.5.