CHINESE IN DOMINION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1923, Page 1

CHINESE IN DOMINION.

WHY DO THEY COME HERE?

The impressions of a Chinese professor on his visit to New Zealand were given in Auckland by Brofcssoi Ran Sieu Chung, M.Sv., who left by the Niagara on Friday. “What a pity,” said Professor Ran Sien ( hung, in conversation with a ■ ■New Zealand Herald” representative, ■■that the sons of that vast, rich hind ~l the Fa-1 had to come here only to be bated, outcast, and prejudiced against ! 1 trust, however, that such prejudice springs purely from economical questions. 1 have noticed how exceptionally well I have, been treated by all classes wherever T travelled in liiis country. I often wonder how the Chinese could live here under existing conditions. What, has seemed so attractive to thorn puzzles me. I don t believe that anything could attract them except your splendid government. I may he under -a wrong impression travelling here just when your vegetable kingdom is in a dormant state All L have seen along the railroads was mountains and rolling lands, winch are at best, good for grazing and forage crops. It reminded me ol my seven months’ sojourn in the Vosges Valleys. 15 miles from Switzerland, where dairying was also a principal diislry. fu China, however, there are hundreds of millions of acres of virgin land, perhaps ten times more fertile than wlmt I have seen ill the Vosges and here, but unfortunately, entirely forsaken. Instead of being a land of promise, many of her sons were compelled K, leave her to seek their fortune abroad, simply on account ot unsettled conditions. FNRF.ST IN CHINA. “What couldn't a Chinese do at homo, with the CIO!) that he had to pay or. his landing in Now Zealand, and ike £SO in addition for hi- travelling expense- from China, if only In- own Covernment could give him ihe fh'o-t,-cl ion. Your fear of this country bein f , Hooded by Chinese will inevitably cease as soon as a good Chinese Governmetit is formed. We believe it will he, and all we want for that i- time. No complete transformaliorf will lake place withnni China going through every neces-ary stage ot vicissitude. “Several times tho question ot the •y.llow Reril’ has been brought to my notice. I have always considered ii as a luxurious air castle ol the white people. Having less people in your whole nation than, one of our large cities you naturally thinlc that it cannot bo possible for a nation to have such a teeming population as four hundred millions. Don't you realise, ion. that there are 4,200.000 square miles of hind in China, lints making the population of China less than 100 per square mile. Not a single country in I*’uro|>f* i> iff! three or lour, or oven six times as crowded as China, considering it- population per square mile. Omc there is protection, lran-i>orta-tion. and modern methods ol farming. China i- more than able to accommodate all her people. Like the French, tlu* Chinese hke to stay in their nun country. Plenty of land is available. At present only a small portion ol the l,iii([ in China is under cultivation—--15 per cent of the total area, aeeordill.,- tu the Ministry ol Agriculture—which is far too low for maintaining her punpiilatioii. NO ACC Ii ESS IV K AMBITION. ••The Chinese are a peate-loving people, rather building a wall than lighting to keep their enemies from mvnsioii. Wherever Chinese are tound il i- admitted that lliey are law-abid-ing and honest. They mind only their uwn business, and are without the -lightest degree ot aggressive ambition. Upwards of 3000 Chinese in Tahiti have been stteccssltilly ruled by the French, who number 200. including men, women, and children. •■Do not misinterpret my point, however. and think that the Chinese are not capable of ruling. In fact, the Chinese had hee’li successlul inleilike the Romans in the past. What I try to point out is that they are not a dangerous people in any sense.

Discussing intermarriage between Chinese and European, Professor Pan Sicn Cluing said the question had been recently brought up by a certain bishop with whom he agreed. ‘T.ove knows no geographical houndarv. Marrying with a person of your own nationality give- no guarantee ui happiness. I have seen in Europe many cases of unhappy marriages within the circle of my own acquaintance. Hundreds of thousands of divorce cases happen in the Initial States each year. More serious consideration should be given to a marriage between a Chinese, and European, of course, because the sovietv is more keen about such wedlock. Unhappy eases arc more eon-spit-nous than happy ones, and they easily catch the attention of the public. Think seven times seven before such marriage is made is my advice.