THE CHINESE CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1868, 15 June 1888, Page 3

THE CHINESE CONFERENCE.

(FBB PBBSS ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, June 14 The Chinese Conference think the increased tonnage proposed should be sufficient for restrictive purposes. Following is the effect of the replies cabled' by ' Lord Knutsford to certain questions asked by the Chinese Conference :— ?Tbe Imperial Government <■ Are anxious to feeet the views of Australians, bat the measure passed by the New South Legislature places obstacles m the way of negotiating with China, and it is important to ascertain if other arrangements can be made more m accordance with the views of China, The Chinese. Government objects particularly |o Chinese emigrants being placed on a different footing, from those belonging to other nations, but if they are placed on an equal footing the Chinese Govern- _ merit might be willing to accept conditions similar to those under the treaty .recently concluded with the United States. It must, however, be distinctly understood' that while the Imperial Government were prepared to consider any representations made by the Conference it was quite unable to assure the Conference that negotiations shall be opened with China on the basis of such representations, 88 the action of the Imperial Government will altogether depend on the nature of the proposals to be submitted by the Conference. Sir Henry Parkes, as President of the Conference, has replied to the following effect:— "The Conference had considered the qtfestion from the standpoint of the political and commercial interests of the Empire, and the commercial interests of the colonies. In 1886 the value of Australian exports to China was £16,000, whilst . the value of Australian imports from China was £850,000, "thus 'whilst Australian custom was of value to. China, the latter country afforded no : great outlet at present for Australian trade. Ho attempt had been made to close the Australian markets against the Chinese, and though suggestions for retrictions of a general character had been fully considered, no practicable scheme had been discovered. As the negotiations between the Imperial Government and China must occupy an uncertain time, and as the colonies m the meantime had reason to dread a large influx of Chinese, several i* ustralian Governments bad felt impelled to legislate immediately to protect the citizens of Australia against the invasion which was to be dreaded m its effect on tfre labor market, and on the social and moral condition of the people. At the same time the Conference were anxious that Great Britain should negotiate with the Chinese Government, and, if possible, conclude a treaty with that country for exclusion from the Australian colonies of all Chinese except o^cials, travellers, merchants, and students. B.y way of assisting the Imperial Government to give effect to this proposal the Conference recommended the abolition of the poll tax. The Conference believed that existing local legislation was sufficient to accomplish the immediate object, which was restriction, but would »prefer exclusion to be brought about by means of international agreements. The Conference further desired that the Imperial Government should induce the Governments of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements to at once prohibit emigration to the Australian colonies. The above embodies the business of the Conference, and a draft Bill giving effect to the above points has been approved. Owners of vessels bringing Chinese m excess of the number pro•TraNJa for by tne Bill are liable 1 to' a fjne of for each passenger above the, prescribed number. A resolution was carried unanimously pledging all the colonies, excepting New South Wales, Australia, to, ' m jiroducp fae draft Bill approvefl by $he Conference Jn the ' several Legislatures, it being understood that the two polonies referred to should alter their BJlls to meet tb,e provisions of the general Bill of the Conference. The Conference has now concluded its sittings, the Hon. Mr Oliver, the New Zealand delegate, not having reached Sydney m time to attend its Bitting. (Received Jane 15, 12 20 p m.) Sydney. June 15. The Tasmanian Government dissents from the of the Chinese Cpnrerene'e, and the objections wired by Lord |Cnutsford. All the other colonies are i atiefied but Western Australia, being a Crown colony did not express any Opinion. The Victorian Chinese have drawn up a petition protesting against the injustice/as they consider the present ■}few sufficiently stringent. *••-•■ As .Newcastle 40 Chinese on hoard the Chftngsha waited on the captain armed with knives and tomahawks, and insisted on the payment of £10 each before they returned to China. The money wag paid.