MODERN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1929, Page 3

MODERN CHINA

MENACE OF RABBLE SOLDIERS

NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS.

AUCKLAND, Soptember 3

After three, years in Singapore, Mr H. Tressidcr, of the Eastern Cable Company, returned to Now Zealand by tlie Uiimaroa (from Sydney. Mr nessidor win. .born in Nelson, and lie intends spending about four montlis in New Zealand before his return to the East, -in tlie course of his work Mr Tressidcr has spent 15 years in the East. Ho has been stationed in Java, Cocos Island, Cochin China, China, and Singapore, and naturally is well acquainted' with Eastern questions and problems.

“Tlie present htis initios between China and Russia are causing con-, sideraible excitement 5 in the East.” ho said. ‘.‘lt is generally admitted that China is a growing force, although certain retarding influences have yet to be removed. The Chinese Nationalist movement is gaining in strength and is being supported by practically all tlie wealthy Chinese.’’ There was still a large amount of lawlessness in China, Mr Tressidcr said. The people themselves Wero not to blame, but rather the rabble soldiers, who-were really the bandits of [the • Country. Mr Tressider mentioned a case in which a Chinese admiral ruined a community of peaceful fruitgrowers. Near Fu Chow there was a large valley- given over completely, to orange cultivation, but the admiral patrolling the river with a few nondescript gunboats enriched himself by taxing the people to such an extent that they could not make their work pay; He then suggested that they should turn their hands to the grow, ing of opium, although there, was a law passed by the Chinese Government forbidding its cultivation. Tlie orange Trees disappeared and fields of poppies took their place. When thp opium was gathered the enterprising admiral swooped down and confiscated the lot for his own benefit. The result was that the peaceful husbandmen were turned into tne hills as bandits.

“This instance is not isolated,” Mr Tressidcr said. “The soldiers - are ruining China and making it practically impossible for some of the people ter earn a peaceful living. It will probably 'be some time before order is properly restored.” v Work on the Singapore naval base was being pushed on, Mr Tressider said, and it was not thought that the British Labour Government would interfere with it. The' floating dock was now open, although it had not yet been used. It was hardly likely that warships would be stationed permanently at /Singapore as the port was practically on tlie Equator and the' cbhditidnd’■■Would'; be;'' -unbearable for the men living ibelow steel decks. “There is quite a considerable market in the East for New Zealandmade goods,” 'Mr Tressider said. “Canned milk and butter from ‘the Dominion are extensively advertised and meet with a good demand, but the general opinion is that the packing of New Zealand goods is not all that could be desired. Exporters" here wishing to extend their Eastern trade should follow more closely'the lines adopted by English 1 and Ameiican firms.'” ' _ - Rullber prices were 1 definitely improving- in the East, Mr; Tressider said. The trade had recovered from the slumps which followed Mr Baldwin’s actions in removing the f-toi-ago regulations. Most of the plantations were now reorganised and placed on a sound financial footing. The result was that rubber was now a good investment. Prices at present were about Is a pound, and it was thought they would inoilease to Is 3d 'before the end of the year.