THURSDAYS' SITTING. Wellington, Yesterday.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1253, 10 July 1880, Page 2

THURSDAYS' SITTING. Wellington, Yesterday.

The House met at 2. 30 p. m. Mr. Mccaughan gave notice that he would move, " That next session of Assembly meets at Christchurch, and that an arlress be presented to the Governor praying him to place a sum of £2000 on the estimates to defray the cost of securing the necessary accomodation.' '

THE AGENT-GENEBAL. Mr. Moorhouse gave notice as a question as to "Whether Government had authorised the Agent-General to attend and take part in a meeting held in England re the unity of the Empire."

APPOINTMENT IN GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT. Mr. Jones gave notice that he would move "That all correspondence be prodnced relative to the appointment of Mr. Houghton to a position in the Government Life Insurance Department." Mr. Eolleston said that without committing itself to any absolute rule on the point the Government considered it was desirable to keep steadily in view the introduction of a uniform system of instruction in tho primary schools of the colony, but not to mike any sudden change.

BILLS INTRODUCED. The folloAving bills were introduced and read a first time :—Peace: — Peace preservation (Mr Bryce), Local Public Works Eating Act, 1879 amendment (Major Atkiiibon).

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. Mr. DeLautour moved " That it is desirable thit the Government workshops shed be made available for practical instruction of boys, receiving instruction for half time, at one or more primary or secondary schools in their neighbourhood." He said his object was to enable practical training to be afforded to the rising generation. He merely wished^ to bring the subject before the Government, with a view of getting a scheme of the kind initialled. The great difficulty in England was the want of technical education. The difficulty was now being obviated. In a couutry like this, where apprenticeship was a difficulty, and parents did not know what to do with their boys, a movement in this direction would he opened go towards obviating that difficulty. Mr. Rolleston agreed with much that had been stated. As far as he could gather, the workshops at present were not adapted for this purpose ; but as a suggestion, the motion was worthy of consideration. Mr. Montgomery agreed that State education should not be allowed to remain where it w.is, but that it should aim at what was indicated in the resolution. Mr Macandrew acquiesced. Mr Murray acknowledged that the motion was the introduction of a great principle. It was a subject which might very fairly be left to be matured by a commission during the recess Mr Thomson sail that they should endeavor to induce the rising generation to take an interest in trades and manufactures, and this was a step in the right direction. The motion was put ami carried.

CLUBS. Mr Andrews moved — "There be laid before the House, returns fallowing the number of Clubs rogis-tered, classifying them under respective head&, as working men, &c, in each Provincial District of the colouy/' The motion was agree 1 to.

BORROWING. The interrujjted debate was resumed on the question — "That this House is, of opinion that Government should cease to borrow further, either for the purpose of carrying on the immigration and public works policy or for the purpose of defraying portion of the ordinary expenses of Government." Colonel Trimble said the motion appeared to him unnecessary. The Government did not propose to borrow more, and if they did they would first have to come to the House. When they did so it would be time enough to consider the point. ilr Thomson moved the adjournment of the debate. The motion, wis carried. On the motion that it be adjourned till that day fortnight, au amendment was moved ' ' That it be adjourned till that day six months." On a division the amendment waa carried by 28 to 23.

MAORI BURIAL PLACE AT TAUPIRI. Major Te Whero moved, "That the report dated 26th July, 1876, from the Native Affairs Committee on a petition which alleged the interference of the line of the Waikato railway with an old burial place situated at Taupiri G-orge be acting upon ; also, that the grant of land asked for on recommendation of the said committee be given." The motion was agreed to.

BREWERIES. Mr Reeves moved, " That tliero bo laid before the House a return showing the number of breweries in New Zealand, the number of barrels of beer brewed by several brewers, and the description of material used in brewing, as provided for in the Distillation Act, 1868." Agreed to. The House resumed at 7.30.

CHINESE PROHIBITION BILL. Mr Hutchison moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigration Bill. He thought that this was a favorable time for bringing in a bill of this kind. Were half a million Englishmen to direct their steps to China he believed the Chinese authorities would put a stop to the move* ment. TLe settlement of the Chinese in the country was not settlement in the proper sense. They came unaccompanied ]>y any domestic relationship. The Chinaman was an undesirable immigrant. »Sir George Grey seconded the motion. Dr Wallis said that the bill concerned one-third of the human race. He^. entirely disagreed with the bill. He we»\ild * support a measure to restrict the number of Chinese imported to the colony, fcnt the Bill before the House proposed^ an entire prohibition. Mr Hall agreed with the last speaker that it was undesirable to flood the colony with Chinese, The way to deal with the question was to wait till the Chinese had attained a certain number, and then apply restriction. The Chinese population was actually decreasing in the colony, and he thought time might be more piofitably employed than by discussing the bill at present. Mv Bowen spoke against the bill, He,

did uot see that the Chinese in New Zealand had done anything to alarm them, or make their presence distasteful. They had picked up a few scraps of gold from tailings left by Europeans. They had taught us valuable lessons in the art of market gardening. They heard of no unemployed amongat the Chinese. Mr Gisborne would vote for the amendment if a modified measure could be introduced this se>sion. As that was not poBs£bsQt c would support the motion. Ca&jtTel Trimble protested against the prinojple contained in the Bill. No country could prosper that prevented free immigration to its shores. Mr Seddon took exception to members comparing Chinese to Irishmen. Such a comparison was not to be tolerated. Mr Reid took a much more moderate view. They oould do with a few more Chinese in the colony. On the West Coast there was an opening 1 for a few hundreds alone They would be able, without interfering with anyone, to make £2 a week each. Major Te Wheoro spoke against the Bill. Mr Beeves contended that the Chinamen were nofc desirable colonists in any sense of the word. They had no moral sen6e, <md, when they were isolated from the world, herding in some back gully, they had opportunity for practising their demoralisation. He would support the Bill, although he had no hope it would be oarried. Mr Or. McLean said this was a mere hustings cry, and one popular at an election. The hon. gentleman had introduced a bill which could not be assented to if passed. He (Mr McLean) had no desire to see the country overrun with Chinese, but the fact was there was not the slightest appearance of that. There were more going away than were coming. In small numbers they were a desiiable class. They picked up all manner of scraps, such as iron, and sent them away to China, getting tea back in exchange. Sir George Grey said the bill was one for the public good. The first question was had they power to legisUto. The treaty referred to had nothing to do with the question. If Chinese were allowed to come here a good many of them would become permanent settler.-'. They would intermarry with Europeans, and the result would be an evil similar to that of the negro in America. They would find that the European would be dragged down to a state of barbarism. They would be '• mean whites." The House roae at 12.30 a.m.