MORE ABOUT THE CHINESE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2154, 9 August 1907, Page 4

MORE ABOUT THE CHINESE.

DUNEDIN ’OPIUM DENS. THE CHINESE BOYCOTT. “I have boon astounded at the number of Europeans still smoking opium in Chinese dons,” stated Mr. AV. A. Lloyd oil bis return from an

anti-Chinese pilgrimage through tho South Island., Ho says that, there are at least a. dozen places in Dunedin whoio opium-smoking goes on regularly, and women are among tho Europeans who frequent these shady houses. On the goldfields in Central Otago Mr. Lloyd noticed Chinese regaling themsolvos with opium, and lie is convinced that they are enabled to indulge in tins vice by tlio agency of the Post Office. Tho tins of opium, ho doclaros, nro altonxl in slnipo, to avort suspicion, aro wrapped up carefully, and addressed to Chinese in various parts of tho district. Ho intends bringing tho matter boforo tlio postal authorities, and furnishing thorn with “absolute proof of tlio general use (not merely isolated eases) of tho Post Office for tho distribution of opium.” The Chinaman, quick to learn tho methods of the European, when they suit his purpose', has shown some fight in Dunedin, as a telegram in tho Post the other day disclosed. Prior to a public meeting for discussing the Chinese problem, tho celestials themselves assembled and decided to inform European retailers of fruit and vogteables that if they took part in Mr. Lloyd’s campaign or contributed anything towards the oxpenses they would bo boycotted. One white dealer, who had a notice about. Mr. Lloyd’s meeting in his window withdrew the card from his window. He explained frankly, that he was not in a position to offend the Chinese.

On tho night of tho anti-alien gathering the Chinese had pidkets posted t'o identify the dealers who appeared at the hall, and tho sequel was not long in coming. In the auction rooms the yellow men have begun to run up the prices against certain white competitors some of whom have rather cooled down in their anti-Asiatic ardour.

Throughout the South Island the traveller found that tho people were anxious to sco more stringent measures taken to chock Chinese immigration. Some opposition was offered. but nine-t'enths of it came from totally mistaken motives, Mr. Lloyd submits. It was contended that if the Chinese paid the poll-tax they had the right' to make a living. “That is not denied,” reidied Mr. Lloyd. “All I denied was that they had the right to live at our expense.” He said that in various places European sellers of produce were managing to thrive in spite of Chinese competition.