Mr. TAYLOR.

I submit to the Finance Minister that as it is now midnight, and we rose at 2.30 this morning, the committee should rise and report progress and resume early in the morning. He cannot find fault with the opposition, for we have done everything possible to facilitate the carrying out of the arrangement between the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition to close Saturday if possible and not later than Monday. But the two Bills, which have taken a great deal of time, it was not specially mentioned would be proceeded with.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

The last clauses we have to pass are not at all contentious in their nature. We have dealt with the undesirable clauses, and there is no reason why we should not finish the Bill.

Mr. TAYLOR.

After the way in whiFh the Bill has been mutilated, it ought to be reprinted so that we may know what we are doing before we are asked to go on and complete it. No one now really knows what the Bill is at present.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

If you get through the committee, I am willing to leave the third reading until to-morrow morning.

Mr. TAYLOR.

Surely you do not want the third reading until it is reprinted V

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

Why not have it put into some shape so that we can put it through all the stages when we do put it through.

Mr. FIELDING.

I quite agree that hon. gentlemen opposite have facilitated the business of the House for some days and we all appreciate that. 1 think they should accept the suggestion to pass the Bill through committee. If it does need to be reprinted, there is so much more reason for dealing with it to-night. The committee stage being disposed of the third reading may stand until to-morrow, especially if the matter remaining is not a contentious character.

Mr. TAYLOR.

I am sure there will be a certain amount of discussion on every clause. If the hon. gentleman wants to wind up the estimates, I will be willing to remain an hour or a half an hour for that purpose.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

Will you pass this within one hour to-morrow ?

Mr. TAYLOR.

I would not promise anything.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

If my hon. friend does not wish to delay it, I am willing to have it passed through the committee stage, and to leave the third reading for to-morrow.

Mr. SPROULE.

If the hon. gentleman want-s the measure put through there is no desire to delay it. Since we are dealing with it at all we want to make it as perfect as possible but there is no disposition to delay it.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

It is desirable to have this out of the hands of the House at the earliest possible moment as the Senate is waiting for measures. The Senate does not pronounce on estimates, but it does on Bills, and I think this should be completed to-night.

Mr. TAYLOR.

Does the minister expect that the Senate will swallow the Bill in 24 hours ?

Sir WILLIAM MtTLOCK. I would not form an opinion as to what the Senate will do, but I think the sooner we give it to the Senate the sooner they can proceed with it.

On section 9,

Mr. BARKER.

I would suggest to the minister that in line 5 after the word ' that,' the word ' unlawful ' should be inserted. It is quite possible that a man may improperly enter the country and may have been assisted by some one without being unlawfully assisted.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

I have no objection to that section as amended agreed to. [DOT]

On section 13,

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

In view of having struck out section 2 of this Bill it will not be necessary to have the following words in ' of the said Act of 1897 as amended or.'

Mr. BARKER.

I think this clause 13, might he left until the morning.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK.

I think I know what is in my hon. friend's mind, but when I explain the matter I am sure he will see it is not serious. This section 13 only applies to the class of immigrants named in section 10, namely those undesirable ones, persons of unsound mind, diseased persons, prostitutes, and so on.

Mr. BARKER.

Had you not better say section 10 ?