CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2573, 20 June 1881, Page 2

CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

In the Bill to restrict Chinese Immigration to the colony, which has been introduced by the Colonial Treasurer, it is provided that the Act is only to come into operation when the Governor in Council is satisfied that the Chinese in the colony exceed 5000. Ships arriving in the colony may not carry more than one Chinaman to every ten tons of their tonnage, the owner, charterer, or master being liable to a penalty not exceeding £lO for each passenger so carried in excess. The master on arrival is to give a list of the Chinese passengers on board, and before landing any Chinese must pay £lO to the Collector of Customs for every such Chinese. If the master neglect to pay the poll tax he is liabie to a penalty not exceeding £2O For each Chinese permitted to land without being paid for, and in addition to any such penalty, the vessel may be seized, condemned, and disposed of in like manner as ships forfeited for a breach of law relating to the Customs. On payment of the poll tax the Customs officer shall give each Chinese a certificate, which shall always be admitted as evidence of the same having been paid. If at any time within three years from the date of the landing of any Chinese, in respect of whom such names shall have been paid, such Chinese shall depart from the colony, the amount so paid tn roopect of such Chinese will, save in the event of certain exceptions named, be repaid to him on board of the vessel by which he departs. But if he fail to make such proof within the period aforesaid the amount will be paid into the public account, and form part of the consolidated fund. If any Chinese shall enter or attempt to enter the colony without the poll tax of £lO being paid he shall, beside such sum, be liable to a penalty not exceeding £lO. At any hearing the Justices may decide upon their own view and judgment whether any person charged before them is a Chinese or not within the meaning of the Act. All Chinese within the colony at the time the Act comes into operation may, within two months thereafter, obtain a certificate of exemption from payments under the Act.