THE CHINESE QUESTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1874, 22 June 1888, Page 2

THE CHINESE QUESTION

— vwi.T-i;----FRESH DIFFICULTIES. " '..,' [pjsb PKissa Assooutrdfejii " . . ,. ._ -■, London, June 20. The Chinese authorities are endeavoring to arrive at some satisfactory solution of the difficulty with Australia. It is freely stated that China is dissatisfied With the Treaty of Tientsin, and also appears reluctait to ratify the treaty with America, and it is possible that the action of the Chinese Minister who took part m the negotiations with Mr Bayard, Secretary of State for the United States, m respect to the latter treaty nUl'be repudiated by the Chinese Imperial Government. Should this be done, it ig not thought likely that a treaty Jwith England, on behalf of Australia, on « similar basis to the American treaty, would be entertained by the ; Chinese Government. It has been officially suggested that it would not be advisable for Lord Salisbury to negotiate with the Chinese authorities for such a treaty, as the latter would be regarded as an un* necessary affront and insidious, attempt to single out Chinese for restriciion. The Australian action is condemned as uncalled for and offensive,' A leading Chinese authority suggests that Australia should imitate Bismarck's passport policy, and amend the Immigration Act, so that provision be made that no Chinese enter Australia unless able to furnish proof that they are -approved of by the British Agent at the port of embarkation. The same authority expresses the ; opinion that some such course would meet the difficulty m Aubtralia, and would be agreed to by China, and . that the latter would accept a modified restrictive policy of this character by foreign powers* SyoKjev; Jane 21. Lord Knutsford v has : communicated with ;his Excellency the Governor . by cable; suggesting whether* it would not be advisable for the New South Wales Parliament to deal with the present Chinese Bill so as to bring it m harmony with the Bill drawn up at the Chinese Conference recently held m Sydney,' The Government have replied^'- explaining their position, and stating that' they are pledged to proceed with the Bill as It is,