THE CHINESE CONSUL'S COMPLAINT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 6

THE CHINESE CONSUL'S COMPLAINT

Sir.+The reply of the Acting-Premier to the Chinese Consul's complaint regarding statements made by Mr. Powell at his lecture to the Y.M.C.A. on the 12th hist, makes strange reading, especially in this iand where freedom and justice are supposed to hold sway. It would seem from the tone of Sir James Allen's reply Hint this country is likely to drift, back to that strange era in'history when no man could express his opinions on ordinary subjects without rnnuing the risk of imprisoninent or the block. Anvono who has listened to the lecture of Mr. Powell cannot but feel highly indignant nt the absolute unfairness'and grotesque simple-minded-ness of the New Zealand Government,

"which docs not endorse what has been said by Mr. Powell." How could it? Has it heavd Mr. Powell's side ot tho story? It is evident (hat it lias not, else such an attitudo as that displayed in the closing paragraph of the reply would not have occurred, viz:—"That though we can stop'such matter being published !he (the Attorney-General) considers it better to have a more clearly expressed power in the regulations. And, "A new regulation giving this power will be submitted for tho approval of the Executive Council at the eai'N iesl opportunity." Power for what.' Mr. Powell narrates what he has seen with his own" eyes, whilst labouring amongst the Miaos, who, by the way, are hot Chinese, but a distinct race, considered by some authorities to be the aboriginal race of China. It is inconceivable that anyone can take exception to the pictures shown on the screen. If truth is to be suppressed in the manner suggested by the Actmg-Preimer, what is all our boasted British freedom worth? In New Zealand, above all places, wo are supposed to have Government of the people, for the people, by the people, yet in this case we have an example of' despotism shown forth by mci elected by popular franchise which bids fair to take rank with many incidents recorded in the history of England j prior to Queen Anne's Ume^a^tc, Lower Butt, June 25.'