CHINESE INFLUX

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1844, 18 May 1888, Page 3

CHINESE INFLUX

(_PJSR PRESS ASSOCIATION J London, May 16. The "St. James's Gazette," m the course of an article on the Chinese difficulty m Australia, says that England roust accept Sir Henry Parkes' ultimatum, and that the attitude assumed by the Australian colonies deserves the sympathy and support of England: Most of the papers advocate the application by Australia of the terms of the American-Chinese treaty as a solution of the Chinese difficulty. Lord Salisbury has received a cable message from the Chinese Government protesting against the action of the Australian colonies m excluding the Chinese. The despatch urges the British Government to impress upon the colonies the necessity of maintaining existing laws, and permitting the Chinese to land m accordance with treaty obligations between Great Britain and China. The " Echo," m the course of an article on the Chinese difficulty, says the Colonies must firmly resist any display of shiftiness m the matter on the part of the Imperial Government. The "Standard" says on the Chinese question that there is only one course to be pursued by the colonies, and if the Chinese immigration exceeds the necessities of the colonies they are old enough, and should be strong enough, to settle the difficulty to their own satisfaction. Sydney, May 17, The number of Chinese now under detention here is five hundred and thirty. In the Supreme Court to-day argument was heard on an application to make a rule nisi absolute for a writ of habeas corpus m the case of the Chinese passengers by the Afghan and Tsinin detained here. The Court held that Government had no power to detain the men, and that they were illegally kept m custody, and an order was made by the Court for their release. The Victorian and South Australian Governments having suggested that a conference should be held before the colonies initiated legislation, are inclined to resent the isolated action of New South Wales on the Chinese question. Melbourne, M*y 17. The "Argus" criticises Sir Henry Parked isolated action against the Chinese unfavourably. It considers the hasty step he has taken may have grievous consequences, involving the f ~ whole of Australia, as many may follow the example of his precipitate opinions. (Reoelved May 18, 115 p.m.) Sydney, May 18. The Legislative Assembly sat all night and till an early hour this morning. The Restriction Bill dealing with the Chinese question passed through all its stages. It is not known what action the Government will take with reference to the Supreme Court having granted a writ of habeas cotpus to the Chinese, but from remarks which fell from Mr Garrett, it is implied Government have not exhausted their resources on the subject. By a large majority the Legislative Council refused to suspend the Standing Orders, so that the Bill might come under immediate consideration. Mr Wm. McMillan, member for East Sydney, has given notice m the Legislative Assembly of a motion — " That the language used by Government m a cable on 15th 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 is liable to disturb the friendly feeling existing between the colonies and the mother country, and 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 subjected to severe handling at the hands of larrikins, and Government are offering rewards for' the conviction of any person or persons guilty of offering violence to Mongolians.