CHINA’S ATTITUDE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 735, 7 August 1929, Page 11

CHINA’S ATTITUDE

ANTI-BRITISH FEELING SUBSIDES MISSIONER RETURNS TO N.Z. Tho anti-British feeling in China has subsided considerably during the past two years. This statement came from the Rev. Laurence H. Ker, M.A., a son of Mr. J. J. Ker, of Iluapai. who arrived from Manchuria yesterdciy, via Sydney, by th« Ulimaroa. Mr. Ker has been stationed at Mukden fo.r the past five years, and has been engaged in educational work at tho Manchurian Christian College. This is tho first time he has returned to New Zealand since taking up work in China. Mr. Ker said that in recent years Great Britain’s conciliatory attitude, even when sorely tried, had at last borne fruit, and there had been a distinct change in China’s sentiment toward her. The Nationalist Party in China, which now governed the country, began in Canton, and originated as a provincial government, which tried to carry out the ideals of the party. This party had perpetuated the ideals of Sun-Yat-Sen. Only in the last few months had China become outwardly unified, said Mr. Ker. There were still a few parties with discordant ambitions. In Alanchuria, where Mr. Ker lives, are the “White Russians.” They are tne wreckage from the Russian revolution, reduced to great poverty and in sore straits. Many of them beg in the streets, and others do menial work. Among tho “White Russians” are many ex-officers of the old regime. During the past nine years many of the “White Russians” have fought under the different war lords of China.

One of the most significant things about Manchuria is the way in which it has been populated since the fall of the Manclui dynasty. Before the Chineso revolution in 1011, Manchuria was the preserve of the Manchus, the ruling house of China, but after they were deposed a tide of immigrants flowed into tho country in great proportions. In ono year it was estimated that almost a million immigrants reached Manchuria from other parts of China. Tho country has great areas of fertilo land, which formerly were only sparsely populated, but now the land is all being taken up by the new arrivals. Mr. Ker went to Manchuria to labour with the Irish Presbyterian Mission. He is on a year’s furlough, and will spend some months at Huapai with his father. He is accompanied by liis wife and two little children.