WHITE AUSTRALIA POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1920, Page 1

WHITE AUSTRALIA POLICY

N.Z. AND CHINESE. , SYDNEY, Sept. 15. Many people in Australia are expressing concern because only one Australian representative is going to look after the Commonwealth’s interests at the Geneva Conference. Senator Millen, who lias' undertaken that mission, is a very capable and competent Minister. But it is understood that Japan, at this Conference, is going to make another most determined attack on the White Australia, policy j and it is believed that the man best qualified to meet the Japanese is the man who met and defeated, them at the Paris Conference—Mr Hughes. It was confidently anticipated that Mr Hughes would attend the Geneva Conference; but it appears that lie deems it advisable to remain here and meet Mr on his way across the Pacific from Vancouver. Mr Watt, since he resigned his mission in London, after a quarrel with Mr Hughes, has refused to say anything about the quarrel, being determined to say it all when he gets home. He is the stiongest man in the Federal Parliament, apart from Mr Hughes, and if he is so inclined, he can certainly prove himself to be a disturbing and disruptive influence. Mr Hughes considers it more necessary that he should stay here and fight Mr Watt, with whatever weapon Mr Watt selects, than that he should go to Geneva and defend the White Australia policy. Australia, generally, regards the situation with the eye of a cynic: “His job is of more consequence to- Billy than a White Australia” is a frequent comment. But there is likely to be a particularly lively political row when Mr Watt arrives and the champions meet—and Australia finds conso-

lation in that. Australia is completely wedded to the White Australia policy, and most Australians think they will some day

have to fight for it. In that connexion, one notices here and there lately a suspicion of New Zealand. There are stories, apparently groundless, that New Zealand is permitting Hindu immigration. Recently, some little excitement was caused by “an influx of Chinese into Sydney.” It was said that many new Chinese faces were to be seen in the Chinese quarters. Enquiries'were made, and it was stated that

these Chinese were simply passing

through, en route to New Zealand. “There has been an influx to New Zealand of late,” said a prominent Chinese, Mr Yinson Lee, interviewed by the “Daily Telegraph,” “which explains the reason for so many new faces in the Chinese community here, as these immigrants tranship at Sydney for the Dominion.” Australia obviously does not like this tolerance of Chinese by New Zealand.