“EAST IS EAST”

Southland Times, Issue 21092, 26 May 1930, Page 9

“EAST IS EAST”

PROHIBITED IMMIGRANT. CHINESE TO BE DEPORTED. An Oriental flavour spiced the proceedings in the Police Court on Saturday when, betore Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., a Chinese, Lee Tong, awl 30 years, pleaded guilty to the charge that., being a prohibited immigrant, he did remain in New Zealand for a longer period than that granted by a temporary permit issued to him. Though' similar charges frequently arise in the north, particularly in Auckland and Wellington, .it is understood that the present charge was the first to be heard in Invercargill and it was a somewhat novel sight to observe several countrymen of the accused sitting in the body of the court watching with evident interest the administration of British Justice being brought into operation to deal with one of their friends from the East.

In order to assist the Magistrate in his deciding as to the wisest course to follow in the case in question, several of the friends were interrogated concerning certain relevant matters and not a little amusement crept in as accused’s counsel, Mr Gordon J. Reed, when endeavouring to assist the interpreter, in a “home-made” ChineseEnglish dialect, addressed queries to some of the Chinese.

Senior-Sergeant Fox said that the defendant .had been arrested on Friday on a warrant issued by the Collector of Customs at Auckland nearly two vears ago. The local Collector of Customs (Mr H. S. Cordery), who then took over the prosecution, informed the Court that, the previous night, he had received a long-distance telephone message from the Auckland Collector, who happened to be at Lawrence, asking him to take the case in Invercargill in order that the trouble and expense of sending the defendant to Auckland might be saved.

“This is rather a serious matter, your Worship,” emphasized Mr Cordery. “It is the desire of the authorities to keep the number of foreigners in the Dominion within bounds. A Chinese cannot voluntarily come into the country without a permit from the Collector of Customs. By the 1920 Act, however, he may be allowed to enter fdr six months if he desires to visit relatives or friends, or to stay in the Dominion for business and health reasons, or for the purpose of st .dy.” The pesmits so granted expressly provided that the person was not to engage in any ordinary occupation unless the special permission in writing of the Collector of Customs at the port of arrival was given, continued Mr Cordery. It was found, however, that quite a number of Chinese entered the Dominion, but, as soon as they were clear of the Customs, they disappeared and efforts had to be set afoot to discover them again. “There are still a number to be dug out and it is giving us an immense amount of trouble.” Defendant had been searched for for nearly two years.' He admitted that he had been a market gardener at Waikiwi for the last ten months and stated that he owed money. “This is exactly the t vr >e of man we desire to keep out.” In conclusion, Mr Cordery stressed the seriousness of the breach and sought a deterrent penalty. Mr Reed stated that every case in which a prohibited immigrant over-stayed his stipulated period was serious, but the defendant was no worse than others. Counsel referred the Court to the fact that the conditions governing the staying in New Zealand were printed on the back of the period and, in all probability, were never even read by the defendant. Moreover, the space for the insertion of the address had been left blank. Defendant’s friends, continued Mr Reed had asked him to stress to the Court the fact that the defendant had gone into partnership with another Chinese and they had between them from £3OOO to £4OOO worth of cauliflowers at Waikiwi. Counsel sought that a little latitude might be extended in order that the defendant should be enabled to wind up his affairs. Two witnesses were then called by Mr Reed in order to explain defendant’s position. Percy Janies Paterson said he had leased his property at Waikiwi to the defendant and another Chinese. Apart from his present breach, the defendant, in the opinion of witness, was the most law-abiding person with whom he had ever come into con-' tact. . He was obliging, civil, honest and hardworking. Witness estimated that the partners had 60.000 cauliflowers under cultivation, each of which, “with any luck,” would bring ninepence apiece, giving a total of £4OOO odd. His Worship: How many are working them ? Witness: Two, sir. His Worship: Well, supposing one died, the other partner could get another gardener in, couldn’t he? Mr Cordery: If he has £4OOO he can easily get another man. Witness: But he doesn’t get the money till later on. William Wong, an interpreter, said that the defendant now knew he had broken the law by staying and that he must leave the Dominion. He desired three months to wind up his affairs and to collect his passage money. His Worship: Find out what debts he has. A conversation in Chinese then ensued between the interpreter and the defendant, counsel and Mr Cordery lending their aid in the endeavour to arrive at the true position. Interpreter: He says he has £lOO in dents, His Worship: What are they? Further questions were flung across the body of the court to Lee and some of his friends. Interpreter: He owes money for manures and also for iron for a house he is building. Mr Reed: Is he a married man? The interpreter again followed up his questioning.

Interpreter: Yes; his wife is in China.

Mr Cordery: Why didn’t he go back after the six months?—He says he had no money.

When did he intend to go back ?—He says after the end of this vear. Mr Cordery: Yes; after he has been in the Dominion for nearly three years. The Magistrate imposed a fine of £lO or, in default, one month’s imprisonment with hard labour and allowed 30 days’ for payment. A deportation order was also issued to take effect at the end of such time. The defendant was ordered to furnish a bond of £lOO as surety of his leaving New Zealand.