CHINESE MANDARIN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9127, 23 April 1908, Page 5

CHINESE MANDARIN.

ON TOUR IN THE PACIFIC

Per Press Association

Auckland, April 23

Thos. Ling, a Chinese Mandarin, ■who was sent by the Chinese Government to Samoa, to investigate the condition of Chinese coolies, stated that it did not appear likely that his report to his Government would result in any cessation of the flow of his countrymen into German owned Islands of the Pacific. Trouble on the plantations had arisen owing to agreements failing to distinguish between the American dollar and the Mexican dollar of 10s lOd.

Ling is satisfied that the Chief Justice and Acting Governor will remove the cause of complaint. There are now 1038 Chinese in Samoa.

The Chinese Government did not encourage emigration ; Chinese went on the advice of friends or relatives.

China, [Ling said, was getting a big army together but it was only for defence.

We Chinamen, he added, did not intend to take what does not belong to us. We have plenty of territory of our own.

Ling was reticent on the subjects of the poll-tax on Chinese and the boycott of Japanese goods by China. Ling said he had broached the subject of establishing Chinese Consulates in Australasia to Lord Plunkett, who favoured the idea. It was hoped to have a Consul in Sydney and one in Samoa.