A PLEA FOR THE CHINESE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
AUCKLAND, August 31. | Speaking 1 at the banquet given in his honour last night, the Chinese Consul (Mr Yung Liang Hwang) had some interesting remarks to make. He did not know th>3 meaning of the words "Yellow peril." There would never be anything to fear from China. All she wanted was fair play. China had no aggressive ideas, ' and no desire to teize what was the bread and butter of other nations. Did the cry of a yellow peril mean, peril commercially? He did not think so. As long as the Chinese merchants remained true to their traditions of honesty, impartiality, friendliness, and genei'ousnefs she would never be a trouble to the Avorld in this, respect. The term " Y r ellow peril " was one which he regarded as very unreasonable. China was a moral country, and its motto was " A Country of Purity." t In regard to what had been said about the of living among.-t the Chinese, ' he would remind them that a- their civilisation advanced to the co?t»of living would advance. China wa£ making many mistakes, but she was gradually working ' her way through. The people of China were at all times loyal and honest. The Chinese in New Zealand were obedient to what the Mother Country had taught them — to be peaceful, honest, industrious, • humble, and kind. That was what they i were taught to do. They did not con- j tribute to the Mother Country as far as ! money was concerned, but they had that good senss of loyalty, and so •it was j through all parts of the world. The j Chinese had proved that there was nothing to fear in this cry of a yellow peril, j While in the Dominion lie had made close study of the conditions here. He- admitted j that the Chinese were living cheaper here — not in their foodstuffs, but in their style. I They had not much furniture in their homes, but that was because most of them had not their families here. Some said they earned too much and took away business from the European.. That was
an unreasonable fear, for the accounts they kept proved it. He wanted to be forgiven if he made an unpleasant remark, but he would like to refer to the laundry question. It was stated that they were going to drive out the English laundrymen. How could this be when the Chinese seldom worked in groups of more than four? They never solicited business. Their laundry work was chiefly confined to the ironing of cuffs and collars. They ha.d no steam works. They did not send out for work. They had no telephones, and did not canvass or solicit the work as the European did, and when they came into the country they were called on to pay what was to them the tremendous sum of £100. On the other hand, he was grateful to know that there were men and women who voiced the cause of righteousness and justice. In China they did not listen to the voice of the ignorant, the jealous, and the unjust. He personally loved freedom, and he could tell them that, so far as China was concei'ned, they Mould never listen to what was unreasonable. The Chinese quite knew their own position and their own strength, but they aid not look for the settlement of difficulties in any but a peaceful and just way. They had no wish to be humiliated, however, and they only asked the kindness and courtesy they were extending t<J others, and if the western countries were goin<j; to live up to their glorious traditions they would give them that generous consideration. — (Applause.)
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Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 39
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621A PLEA FOR THE CHINESE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 39
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