BACK ADMIXTURE AND DEPRESSION.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 120, 16 November 1894, Page 2

BACK ADMIXTURE AND DEPRESSION.

TO THE EDITOR OK THE STAR. Sir, — Parliament is over and, although the session has been a long one, important measures have been left either undecided or sacrificed. Among other omissions is the measure to increase the poll tax on Chinamen. Now, I maintain that the present tax is not sufficient, as those Chinamen who recently went back to their own country from New Zealand, taking quantities of gold with them, will, no doubt, induce other members of that race to migrate here and pay the light tax. demanded ; that influx may be increased by the other colonies pro* hibiting their landing. If what I said upon the admixture of race being the chief cause of depression and national decay in my last letter is true, then it is the most important question of the age. There exists a great deal of confusion of ideas upon the subject from want of study among those calling themselves Christians and the would-be philanthropists. Sympathy for " the poor Heathen Chinee " has, no doubt, often been expressed by those who would think it beneath them to sympathise with their own kith and kin, who have been brought low by adverse circumstances, which may have been caused by over-com-petition resulting from race admixture. No adequate means have yet been taken to prevent the influx, because if restriction is carried out fully iusonio countries and not in others it will only retard or prolong the injurious effect. Government by party has been against many beneficial measures for the benefit of British communities. When Sir H. Parkes took such severe measures to prevent the landing of the Chinese during their excessive influx to New South Wales some years back, the Liberal press of this colony condemned his action veiy severely, more on account of that gentleman being a Conservative in politics, no doubt, than for any other reason ; by that policy, however, Sir H. Parkes conserved or preserved the interests of the working man, the small dealer, and in fact the whole community. No legislation initiated in these colonies by the so-called Liberals has been so preservative and beneficial to all classes, and also as to various public in stitntions. The effect of Chiueso competition is cheapness leading to monopoly, thus causing a continual crowding out of individuals who are forced to compete in a glutted labour market, and, as a result, a depreciation in the value of property follows. Tho mode of life of the Chinese has been the same for centuries, and cannot be raised to tho European standard ; where that race congregates in numbers in towns proves this. Their gambling and opium smoking dens allure the thoughtless and unfortunate members of the community, and therefore have a lowering tendency from a moral point of view. Conservatism among certain races, or that they should have no connection with each other except for trading purposes to and from their respective countries, is quite in accordance with the teachings of tbe Scriptures. In fact, it is this teaching that, to my mind, is ono of the main proofs of the authenticity of tho Bible. To expect a British community to prosper with an admixture of the Asiatic or African races is as hopeless as to expect tho tree to flourish with parasites surroundiug it, or blight destroying its vitality. A moderate influx of these races is an evil, but in numbers tbe effect on the superior race would be destructive. I am, etc., A Colonist.