PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2900, 16 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Press Association,)

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. May 15th, 1888. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr 6. Richardson said as an old member ot the House lie thought he might be allowed to offer his sincere congratulations to Sir Henry Atkinson on the high lienor which had recently been conferred on him by Her Majesty, In doing so lie paid a high tribute to Sir H. Atkinson's qualities as a soldier and a statesman and said that however much they might differ from him on political grounds, they must all admire his personal good qualities and worth. He (Sir Henry Atkinson) had no doubt seen many younger men than himself honored in a similar manner, and he to quite sure the House would now joined in offering the Premier its hearty congratulations on his knighthood.

Sir Johu Hall said as an old colleague of Sir H. Atkinson, and also an old member of the House, perhaps

lie might be allowed to say a few words.. It was very, gratifying to him that, the very first congratulation offered to the Premier should come from the Opposition benches,-and it showed that, whatever their; polkal differences, they were always to pay a tribute to their public men on personal grounds. Mr Bichardson had referred to the Premier's services in the field, but; younger meinbersof the House had no idea of the real value of those services,: He had held a most distinguished positiou as leader of his fellow colonists in the troublous. times of the Colony, and the services ■ he rendered would never be forgotten. ' The Premier had also brought the. same qualities which had distinguished him iu the field into the service of the .slate, and had applied the same energy to the management of the finances ■. of the colony. They might - concur in the Premier's vie\vs but must admit that the lion, gentleman ' had used his very great talents for the " good os the country, and had . worked' most industriously for the colony. He (Sir J. Hall) thought - all. .would agree in hoping that Sir H. Atldnson might live long to enjoy the honor,' conferred on him by Her Majesty. ■ Mr Vincent Pyke, as an independanfc member, and almost the senior member of the House, also congdfelated the. Premier on the positionWu- v ferred upon him, and said he was surprised the honor had not been conferred on him long since. Ho considered that-Sir H. Atkinson from his services in the field and in the-state, had done more to deserve recognition than many others who had received it.

Sir H. Atkinson said that when a man had given the best of his public ' services to the colony, whatever difference of opinion there might be : as to the manner tn which their se&. vices should be recognised by sovereign, there Was one thing he valued more than the distinction itself and that was the universal goodwill which had been expressed by his fellow colonists on the honor conferred upon him. He also valued very '* deeply the expression of opinion by the House, as it showed'they recognised that the good of the colony could only be worked out by honest diversity of opinion. Whetheyhe ' distinctions were a suitable o®or not, was open to question in thfciroumstances of the colony, but he thought the time had arrived when the services of public men should be recognised, not by this distinction, • but by being made private councillors of the Empire. That, he thought,' would be very appropriate as drawing - them still closer to the mother country. He thanked the House; most siucerely for its congratulations,. and he also wished to thank his friends who had spoken on the subject. Replying to questions it was that'common jurors could not receive further remuneration at present. That a general Act existed at present with | respect to the closing of cemeteries in larger towns, and Government were - unwilling to interfere with the local bodies in the .matter. That if prize ; fights were found to be a public liui- . sance Government would havje them • • stopped. £ Sir H. Atkinson moved the s™nd reading of" The Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment Bill/' and said the Government were endeavoring to get other colohies to agree in appealing to the Imperial Government for a treaty similar to that adopted between America and China.

Mr Samuel thought the Bill a very proper one, and that it should pass, The Hon John Ballance thought Great Britain would not consent to a treaty on the same basis as that of the United, States as that country was under no obligation to China; nor had it, like Great Britain, a great power like Russia threatening it oil all sid<£s| He also thought the capitation to hi paid by Chinamen should be raised to £SO.

Mr Bruce was surprised such a large question had not received more attention from older members of the house. The introduction of this measure ,was neither wise nor expedient as the whole question was now engaging the attention of the Imperial Govfijument, and he did not believe were about to suffer from any undue influence of Chinese at present. He saw no necessity whatever for this Bill.

Messrs Reeves (St Albans), Cadman, and Seddon, supported the Bill. Mr Hodgldnson thought an increase of the poll tax would be the better way of dealing with the difficulty than this Bill.

Messrs Loughrey and O'Callaghan supported the Bill.

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

The House adjourned till 2.30 next day.

Legislative Council.

In the Legislative Council Speaker took the chair at 2,30,

The Hon, Mr Waterhouse gave notice, asking for the amount of debentures of the Colony held by England and elsewhere. The Hon. Mr Pharazyn, in inoffe lhe address in reply, hoped the Government would deal with the Chinese difficulty in a rational and decided manner. He also said he considered it would be a good thing forjhe Colony if tlie railway between Auckland and Wellington was hungup. The Hon. Mr Dignan briefly seconded the motion.

The Hon. Mr Waterhouse agreed in general terms with the speech. He considered Australia was justified in the action she took in connection >vith the Chinese difficulty and 'thought it was the duty of this Colony to ,co-operate. He was decidedly opposed to the railway between Auckland and Wellington as being premature. Sir 6, Whitmore spoke in similar terms to the last speaker! Dr Grace briefly referred to the financil condition of the Colony. He wassure there was a bright future (ft the industrious and economical clas&af The Hon. G. McLean hoped the Northlslandrailway would be stopped. He urged Government to be careful in • their disposal of land in connection with the Midland railway. The debate was adjourned till 2.HQ o« Wednesday,