THE CHINESE CONSUL'S PROTEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 247, 6 July 1918, Page 8

THE CHINESE CONSUL'S PROTEST

Sir,—l did not intend to say anything in regard to the attitude of the Chinese

Consul in his protest to the Government regarding Mr. "Powell's lecture. As an. individual lie has a perfect right to express his opinion, hut it 6eems to me lie has now acted in a inauner which culls for sonio comment. In the first place he sent a protest to the Acting-Premier and at the same time also sent his protest to tho Press for publication, Is this in accordance with diplomatic etiquette? I think not. Secondly, his protest was based on falsa premises, in that Mr. Powell made no refercnco to the Chinese, but to tho Miao; 'and, thirdly, even allowing that tho words published were used in. regard to tho .Chineso, the Consul has not proved them to bo contrary to fact. Keaciing tho Consul's letter in to-day's Dominion, it is plainly evident that the main point in t.ne controversy is being lost sight of, and the letter in the same issuo from the Chinese Association given undeniable proof, if any proof were need-* ed, that what Mr. Powell is supposed to have said about tho Miao is substantially accurate. I would advise tho Consul to study those two sentences written by. his fel-low-countrymen, nnd then ask himself if a great injustice has not been .doue to Mr. Powell. "Wo (the Chinese Associa- , tion) are annoyed that anyone should . use a Chineso name and write to tho paper and say that all people ill China ( are like the Miao. We think that'Wong King' must be Miao himself, because ha works like a cat in tlio dark." Is this not very uncomplimentary to tho Miao? And Mr. Powell did not say it. Yet the Consul's whole case rests on what ho assumes Mr. Powell to have said about tho , Miao. Now, Sir, id it not clear that the Consul's plain duty i 6 to make the amende ; honourable to Mr. Powell for the injustice he has done that gentleman? The . Consul "is indignant at the aspersions i which are "being cast at his country by. those who lmvo no senso of proportion, and who do not recognise the fact that tho real truth lies midway between the extremes." Begarding the aspersions Mr. Powell is free from guilt. He carries . on his great "work amongst the Miao, ■ and it would ill become him to malign the people whom he is trying to persuade by acts of kindness and self-sacrifice to , believe in the Gospel. « I In conclusion, lam not aware of the extremes to which tho Consul refers, but , ono thing I am certain of is that wherL ever they be, tho rer* truth will be > found upon that position where Mr. , Powell stands, and tho least the Consul can do is to recognise in Mr. Powell a, , man who is earnestly striving to better ' tho condition of the people among -whom he works, whilst ministering to their ' spiritual needs.—l am, eto., J x J. CAMPBELL. I Lowei Hutt, July 3.