Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, OCT., 1, 1904. A Dead Prophet.

Manawatu Herald, 1 October 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, OCT., 1, 1904. A Dead Prophet.

Thebe seems to be a probability that Mr Chamberlain will visit Australia and New Zealand in the near future at the invitation of the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers, who in the event of his coming, have promised him a right royal welcome at the hands 0 f the Australasian people. It can hardly be said that the Chamber of Manufacturers were justified in giving this assurance, as it is more than likely that the welcome will be the reverse of warm. "Until M t Chamberlain exhibited his sudden change of front Over the South African question, he had a large number of colonial sympathisers in his Preferential Trade scheme, but since that glaring inconsistency, the feeling of goodwill I l ® l9 changed to one of Unfriendliness, if not resentment. A few days ago the Post reported that the Government had received a petition from three ex-N ew Zealand contingenters in South Africa asking for a free passage back to the Colony, as their condition was practically destitute owing to the Transvaal Government having failed to keep its proihiae to provide them with employment. “ Since our Celestial friends have arrived,” they go on to say, “ we find it difficult to exist—in fact even a swag has no chance, which we have experienced. We feel it very much, after serving with the Imperial-forces during the late war for three years, that we should be treated in this heartless fashion after our patriotism; so therefore we have no hesitation in throwing ourselves on your mercy.” This is only one of the many instances in which our countrymen, who have voluntarily given their services to the motherland in time of need, have been reduced to the lowest stage of poverty through the ingratitude of the Government they have so loyally served. The colonies cannot overlook the fact that Mr Chamberlain tacitly gave his consent to the importation of Chinese labour, after having pledged himself to uphold the rights of the white population. His action is even more censurable than that of Messrs Balfour and Lyttleton. The latter, though primarily responsible for the planting of Chinese coolies in the Rand, displayed a firm attitude, however mistaken it may have been, over the question. Even the worst enemies of the Prime Minister and Colonial Secretary will not accuse them of vacillation over the matter of Asiatic immigration. But with Mr Chamberlain the case is altogether different. His original promises have been shamefully broken, and the colonies know to their cost what the breaking of those promises has been for them. It is doubtful whether they will bo inclined to place much trust in Mr Chamberlain again after this treatment Twelve months ago the ex-Colonial Secretary would have received a cordial greeting from the colonies, but to-day, as the Post points out, he will find us a good deal more interested in the Imperialism which has given Chinamen a preference over our own flesh and blood, than in the Imperialism of which he professes to be the exponent.