THE CHINESE QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 84, 18 July 1910, Page 4

THE CHINESE QUESTION

OPEN-AIR ADDRESS AT NEW

PLYMOUTH.

Mr. J. Cameron, representative of the New Zealand Anti-Asiatic League, delivered an j»pen-air address to a fair audience at the Imperial Hotel corner on Saturday evening last. After briefly explaining the origin of the movement, Mr. Cameron said that a straggle between the white and col« ored races of the earth seemed, inevitable. The whites and yellows could never blend or live on terms of equality. The awakening of Asia was a distinct menace to Western civilisation, a fact which, he was sorry to say, the white man had not yet fully realise!!. Britain built up beautiful colonies for the criminal outcasts of other nations. A more silly action, lie said, could not be imagined or defended by any civilised nation. Britain hampered her people with all forms of restrictions, while she granted special treatment to the alien. There was plenty of room in New Zealand for a good class of immigrant, but thev should not tolerate the Asiatic at any price. He admitted that the imposition of the English language test had h:id the effect of preventing any Chinese new arrivals landing in the Dominion, but, according to a recent writer, who had been investigating matters in China, he found that English was taught in all the schools, and was rapidly becoming the universal language of the East. Evidence of this kind went to show that the language teat imposed on Chinese immigration would not avail for any great length of time. The speaker said that it would probably be found necessary to further amend the Act. Chinese were all partners, and thereby evaded the provisions of the Factories Act. In common justice to European lanndrymen, the Factories Act should be amended in such a way tnat Chinese would be compelled to observe the same working hours and other conditions imposed on European launderies under the Act. There was nothing unconstitutional in a proposal of this kind. He was strongly in favor of Dr. Findlav's prison and reformatory proposals, and hoped that a sufficient sum of money would be placed on the Esti""ites this session to give full effect to the scheme, which had proved highly successful in Invercargill. and he fnvored its extension on suitable areas throughout the Dominion. Concluding, Mi'. Cameron said that although there may be no immediate danger of invasion by an Asiatic race, it was the nation's duty to be prepared for any possible emergency that might arise. He hoped the day would not come when the voice of the patriot would go unheard and unheeded, and that the rising generation would maintain the spirit of their forefathers in the defence of their country, home and' fhV'.

The sneaker's remarks were favorably lwived by those present.