ANTI-CHINESE MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5531, 18 December 1878, Page 3

ANTI-CHINESE MEETING.

Immediately after the termination of the public meeting with regard to the railway terminus question, a public meeting was held to consider the subject of Chinese immigration, with a view to its discontinuance. The hall was crowded to overflowing. His Worship the Mayor of Wellington was unanimously voted to the chair. The Chairman said the meeting had been called by him in consequence of a very largely signed requisition asking him to do so. He believed it was not necessary that he, as Mayor of this city, when he convened a public meeting, should always be in accord with those who requested the meeting to be called. It was bis duty in his official capacity to call a meeting when asked to do so, but on this occasion he heartily sympathised with the objects of the meeting. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He would now call upon Mr. Hutchison to move the first resolution. Mr. W. Hutchison said the resolution he had to propose was as follows ' —That the citizens of Wellington, in public meeting assembled, desire to place on record their determination to oppose the introduction of Chinese labor into this colony. This question of using Chinese labor out of China at first sight was oue of some difficulty. It involved not only economic but social and political considerations of grave import, to which he could only barely allude. As an abstract proposition, it might be conceded at once that human beings had a right to locate themselves wherever they pleased on God’s earth, but when they left the abstract and came to the concrete, and simply carried theory into practice, they mnst at once take this proposition like every other abstract proposition, and treat it according to all the circumstances surrounding it. No set of people were entitled to commence in any enterprise whatever without considering what it would lead tola the end, and in the Chinese labor que-tion, as in every other, the real essence of it was the adaptation of circumstances and sentiment. He was glad to learn that there was a letter from the Colonial Treasurer, stating his adhesion with this movement, and giving good hopo that they might look to the present Government for supporting the views which everyone present held regarding the question of Chinese immigration. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) A laborer might say he had a right to go where he pleased, and he might say that ho would settle down in such a village; but if the villagers replied that they did not care what his intentions were, they had made up their minds not to allow him to settle in their village, he could not go to live in it. So it was regarding the question of Chinese immigration—the people of New Zealand mnst say to them, “ We will not have you.” (Hear, hear, aud cheers.) A large number of cogent arguments might be used in support of the motion ho had proposed, but ho would content himself by indicating in a general way two reasons making the proposition. He had not been able for want of time to get more than an outline of them in his mind, but ho would state them so the meeting as they occurred to him. The Chinaman, however docile and however imitative ho might ho, was objectionable. The present meeting was not seeking to say anything against the national character of the Chinese in their own country ; they were not dealing with that question at all, aud ho thought they were not seeking to enter on a crusade against the Chinamen already in the country. [A voice : ll'-.vl VJ av/ay, j The Chinamen now 5a ifew '/A*h*4 were living under British law, awl tfcsy-W'VVsd l wotection of that law w long iW'iAl**/ M>wriV-*<v !<v the country—that was to my SUv/ 0«» position as at pre;«, }/'4 WV.fd' slrt ,p tv. cry and say, “Hold, (}iw f hear, and cheers.) The ObimuiW wm ondtted by his education, or, ii-v shonW wty his want of education, to become a member of a free country whose Institutions were under tho direct superintendence and control of tho people. (Ifear, hear, and cheers.) If the Chinaman had any glimmering knowledge of anything in the way of Government, ho believed in an autocracy. The whole gist and tenor of his tenets was that he should pay implicit obedieuce to tho pqwws that be, Xb» consequence wa» that he

was slavish in his nature. If they gave the Chinaman electoral privileges, he did u.ic value them, but looked upou them simply as materials to be manipulated in the hands of tho first man who came across him. _ How about tho recent revolution in China ?J Ho was now speaking to a resolution and not of a revolution. (Laughter.) The introduction of a servile class of people of this character into this country meant the introduction of a servile race—a race who were not slaves, and would not become slaves, simply because we would notenslave them. They could be made slaves with tho greatest ease if they were imported in any numbers, but the people to New Zealand did not want slaves. It meant llio introduction of a slavish lot of poop e, an that would bo exceedingly pernicious to the community in which they were placed. (Hear, hear, and cheers ) They had already an inferior class o r people amongst them, and they wore, physically speaking at all events, very much superior to the Mongolian race , e referred to the Maoris, and any attempts at their amelioration had not been so successful as to lead them to attempt to make an experiment with the Chinese also. It it were a fact that tho introduction of a servile race was not only opposed to tho spirit of free institutions, it was right and proper that the Chinese immigration should bo put a stop to, but their introduction would also have a debasing and demoralising influence, and therefore they ought to set their faces like flint against their introduction into this country. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) This was his first reason for supporting this movement. The pernicious effects of the introduction of Chinese had been amply proved in the Cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and San Frauciso. In the Chinese quarters of those cities crime and degradation in the grossest form and moral polntion were rampant. He hoped tho people of New Zealand would be wise enough and determined enough to preserve this country from such a state of things. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Ho had seen it stated once or twice that some pre-engagements entered into with China by Great Britain might possibly prevent the movement against Chinese immigration being carried out to any successful issue, but if the representatives of this colony resolved that they should have no more Chinese coming into tho country, he did not think the British Government would be so shortsighted as to attempt to compel us to take them, and if they did attempt it, they would find that attempt futile. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The second reason he had for supporting the movement sprang directly from tho first. A servile race, having few wants, having no standard of comforts, few educated tastes* and no desire for culture, could readily undersell tho civilised laborer in the labor market. The employment of a number of Chioamen would tend immediately to_ the reduction of wages below that rate at which a European or an American could probably live. He should like that this meeting would really learn and inwardly digest this fact, for it was the very core of the movement, and had given the movement its point and urgency. The A.S.N. Company, with a view to larger dividends, had gone in for the employment of Chinese labor, and what that company was doing to-day some New Zealand company might do to-morrow. He would ask them to bear this in mind. The sailors and workmen had resisted, and had set a noble example to their working brethren elsewhere. (Hoar, hear, and cheers.) They had stood up to maintain their rights as freeborn men, and that without noise or blustering of any kind. He did not know what the result would be. It was very hard to say wh it would be the result of the strike ; capital was very powerful when it was disposed to become a little unscrupulous. In the old country labor had f eqnently to go to the wall when opposed to capital. This was the first movement of the kind that had taken place in this part of the world, and he hoped that labor on this side of the line would be able to maintain tho superiority. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) At all events, the fact was perfectly clear that the introduction of a servile race amongst civilised people had a direct and immediate tendency to reduce wages below . was necessary and fair for the support of civilised men. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) He was not standing on that platform to advocate any antagonism between cai ital and labor. He desired that the two should work together for the common good—that they should work harmoniously together ; but in order that this should be the case it was very necessary that the working men should speak out with no baited breath or whispering humbleness. (hear, hear, and cheers) —and any attempt to swamp the labor market jwith an interior race should be resisted at once. (Cheers.) It was in conformity with this desire that this meeting would bo asked at some future stage to express its sympathy with those men engaged in this struggle with capital in Australia, when it was sought to put them in competition with the Mongolian. (Cheers.) Mr. Capper seconded the motion, and in doing so spoke very strongly against the introduction of Chinese to this country. Mr. Wallace said that in the early days of the colony there was a strong movement made to increase coolie labor here, but it was stopped by the Imperial Government. He referred to a book entitled “Underground Works,” showing the evils that had arisen in America through the introduction of Chinese labor. He hoped the working man, not only of Wellington but of all New Zealand, would have that support which he deserved, and that very stringent'measures should be laid before the Government to urge them to take steps to endeavor as far as possible to stop the importation of Chinamen to New Zealand. Mr. Ldckie said that if the people as a body expressed their wishes to the Government as being opposed to the introduction of Chinamen, it was the duty of the Government to find out the means to carry out the people’s wishes.

His Worship the Mayor read tho following letter from Mr. Eallanoe : Government Buildings, "Wellington. December 14,1878, Dear Sir,—l have to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of tho 12lh Instant, in which you invite me to attend a public meeting on the 17th, called to consider certain resolutions on the Chinese question. As I shall not bo able to attend the meeting, I take this opportunity oi expressing my warm sympathy with its object. It has appeared to me that the care which is rightly escrowed with regard to the selection of immigrants from Europe should not bo relaxed when the voluntary Immigration of an Inferior race threatens to derange all the just relations of capital and labor, and ta produce social results likely to degrade the position of the European laborer. The advocacy of Chinese Immigration is of the same kind as 'hat of slavery, in this important respect, that It is founded npon ihe desire to increase the wealth of the capitalist c'ass by the subjection of tho laborer. To those, therefore, who view the diffusion of prosperity and happiness amongst all classes—if not equally, at least with equal opportunity—as the highest aim of government. It must appear |that the unrestricted immigration of such a people as tho Chinf'Se might become a national calamity of the greatest magnitude. In the attainment of tho object you have In view a difiiC'ilty may ho found in tho treaty obligations of the mother country ; but it would be unfortunate if these shon'd intervene to prevent a colony from regulating tho introduction of Chinese in accordance with its own Interests. Kwo may legislate for tho Intro. Unction of such immigrants as we desire, it seems equally right that tho Chinese, whom we do not derirc, should he kept out by an embar go on vessels, in tho form of a capitation tax, that would act prohibitively, I do not doubt that means will bo found within our powers to give effect to the will of tho people of this colony, and I trust the meeting in Wellington will be so unanimous as to give an impetus to tho movement in other places,—l am, &c., J. Ballance.

It. W. Watson, Esq. Letters of apology were read from Mr. G. Hunter, Dr. Grace, and Mr. Krull, Mr. Allan said in tho early days of the colony England had asked them to take convicts. stating that good road and bridges would be made. The colonists replied no emphatically. He would give tho present movement every support, and ho thought a committee should be formed, Mr. Crook moved, —That this meeting resolves to petition both Houses of Parliament in terms of tho resolution already agreed to. In speaking to tho motion Mr, Crook, in a long and amusing speech, spoke about the evils of the introduction of Chinamen. He pointed out that possibly manufacturers would employ Chinese labor. Some of these Chinese in time would save up enough money to start for them- 1 selves, aud they in their turn would send over to China for more of their countrymen. Dr. Newman seconded the motion, and remarked that about two years ago pressure was brought to bear on the Home Government by Queensland, asking their assistance to prevent tho importation of Chinamen. Ho thought that if tho whole of tho colonies were united, and sent their wishes to the Home Government, something would very soon bo done to chock tho importation of Chinamen. The motion was then carried unanimously. Mr. Marks moved, —That all towns and districts in Now Zealand bo requested to cooperate with Wellington in promoting this movement, The mover spoke in very strong terms again nt Chinese labor being employed. Ho would like to know if tho Union Steam Hhlpp Company imported 5000 Chinamen for their boats would the freights and passages be lessened ? Ho thought not. Mr, McOoll seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

Mr. Ltfcsis hero read a telegram just received from Australia, to tho effect that tho

seamen on board the steamer Lye-e-moon had all struck. The tidings were received with cheers. Mr, Watson moved that a be appointed to obtain signatures to the petition, and to correspond with other, parts of Now Zealand. , , The Hon. Mr. Gisborne seconded the resolution, and stated he was of opinion that tho time had now arrived when the Legislature should step iu and do something to avoid the evil that the meeting were complaining of.- If Chinamen were allowed to arrive here in large numbers, the present colonists would be denationalised and demoralised, and they would become a satellite and an appendage to China. Mr. P. Galvin moved, and Mr. Allen seconded—That this meeting desires to express its sympathy with the seamen now on strike in Sydney, and the afore-mentioned committee be requested to issue subscription lists for them [Pressure on our space compels us to hold over the reports of the various speeches.] A vote of thanks to the chairman term!nated the meeting.