THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2903, 19 May 1888, Page 2

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Sydney, May 17, In the Supreme Court to-day an argument was heard on an application to make a rule nisi absolute for a writ of habeas corpus in the ease of the Chinese passengers by the Afghan and Tsinan, detained here. The Court held that the Government had no power to detain the men, and that they wore illegally kept in custody, and an order was made by tho Court for their release.

Sydney, May 18. The Legislative Assembly - sat all night, and in the early hours of this morning tho Restriction Bill was passed through all itss tages. It is not known what action Governmeit will take with reference to the Supreme Court having granted a writ of habeas corpus to the Chinese, but from remarks which fell from the Hon Tlios. Garrett Secretary for Lands, it is implied that Government have not exhausted their resources on the subject.

By a large majority tho Legislative Council refused to suspend the Standing Orders, so that the Bill could come under immediate consideration, and a good deal of opposition to the measure was shown.

Mr William McMillan, the member for East Sydney, has given notice in the Legislative Assembly of a motion, 11 That the language used by the Government in the cable message of 15 th May to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dealing with the Chinese difficulty, as well as being an illegal procedure, was uncalled for, and liable to disturb the friendly feelings existing between the Colonies and the Mother Country, and to render more difficult the ultimate settlement of the Chinese question." The motion will be discussed on Tuesday. During the last few days several Chinamen have been subject to severe handling a t the hands of larrikins, and the Government are offering rewards for the conviction of any person or persons guilty of offering violence to Mongolians.