CHINESE POLLTAX.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1105, 29 June 1883, Page 3

CHINESE POLLTAX.

Welling tus, June 24. A deputation of Chinese resident* yesterday waited on the Hon. Mr Rolleston for the purpose of laying before him a statement of the uij istice done to in my of their countrymen uu ier the Chinese Immigati-m Act, which provides for the imposition of a tax of CIO on every Chinaman com ng to New Z 'aland without an exemption certificate. The deputation was introduced by Mr vf'Coll, who acted as spokesman. Mr M C >ll pointed out to the hon. gen Hainan that many Chinese residents ha I failed through ignorance to take out certifi cites of exempt ion during the timeappdnted by Parliament, which would necessitate the payment of £lO per head if th y left the Colony and desired to return to it, and explained that the object which ihe deputation had in view was to solicit the assistance of the Ministry in getting tin law amended so that the Celestials in question, as well as those who would hereafter visit New Zea land, might be enabled to procure passports similar to those issued to Europeans undei the famous Chinese Treaty. Mr M'Coll said it was very hard that a man who hail assisted to develops the resources of the Colony should be required to pay a tax a second time because he went on a visit to a neighbouring Colony for a few months, and adduced two or three instances in which Chinese had been thus treated. The same gentleman also mentionel that a petition was in course of signature by the Chi iese resi lents of the Colony, praying Parliament to hang up the Immigration Act till the population has increased to 700'*. Mr Rolleston, in reply, said the quest! , n was one that he was not famdiar with, and inquiries would have to bo made before he could form an opinion as to the merits of tinclaims made by the deputation. He thought the best thing that the deputation could do would he to add this matter to the petition which they intended to present to Parliament, and the Petitions Committee could then inquire info the two questions at the same time. The hon. gentleman pointed out that very considerable difficulty existed in regard to proving tho identification of those individuals who had certificates, the Chinese not being so easily identified as Europeans. After some further remarks, Mr Rolleston promised to inquire into the matter, and the deputation then withdrew.