A WHITE NEW ZEALAND.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 9 June 1920, Page 2

A WHITE NEW ZEALAND.

SHOULD ASIATICS BE ALLOWED TO ENTER? “’lhat Asiatics should be prohibited Horn catering New Zealand” was the subject of a most interesting debate the first of the session—held by the local Literary and Debating Club at (ha Druids’ Hall on Monday night last, there was an attendance of thirty members, and Miss Lee (vice-presi-dent) occupied the chair, in the unavoidable absence of the president (K '-V. Fetric) through an accident. Mr G. F. Atwore led off in the affirmative, and in an excellent, logical speech, with a vein ol humour, made a strung case for the total prohibition of Asiatics from the Dominion. Mr At nmre spoke of some of their bad habits and the evils thai. resulted from their mixture with the white races. He urged (hat we should not let sentiment stand in the way, i-nt that wo should

view (ho matter from a practical point <n view, umi hesitate to admit, such

undesirable citizens. Mr At more said the Chinese occupied good land to the dertiment of New Zealanders, who

cuuld not afford to pay the big prices paid by the Chinese, who lived more cheaply. The speaker also said that America’s experience with the Negroes should make us hesitate to allow Asiatics to enter this laud.

Mr frank Penn, who championed the

j negative side, urged that we should I allow Asiatics to enter the Dominion, I because it was un-Briti.-h and uusportsJ manlike to keep them out It waa also impolitic to do so, seeing that such an enormous and increasing trade existed between New Zealand and Japan, Pinna and India, and also between (he Mother Country and Asia. Mr Penn -tressed the point that Japan and Pliiua were our worthy Allies in the uar, and if these were worthy tu fight for us. they should not be denied entry in'o our laud. On the Christian stand point, too, Mr Pent) urged we .should not, keeji Asiatics out of otir land. Mr Hills, 8.A., -onuidcd Mr Atuiorc, •■-ml Mr Collins seconded the opposing •01--, while Mi--vs Kirk, Ed mod. and l.i-v, Kev. \V. G. sla-ie, M.A., and Mr K-idluo al.-o spoke. Du a v-*-: being taken, a good majoruy voted tu favour ot Asiatics being prohibited from entering New Zealand. [hi- debate was an excellent one, and all pre-ent spent a pleasant evening. in order nut to clash with the fortnightly territorial drill--, it was decided t'i hold the next meeting (Children’« Evening) on Monday, June 28th, and in ail probability ali tuture meetings v ij! be put. one week forward for tho