EVERYWHERE THE ASIATIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 54, 24 July 1914, Page 8

EVERYWHERE THE ASIATIC.

PUAISK Jrt)lt"*AM. MASJKY. TACTLiIiSS -JiLTIT iSTKAICWIT. , London, June 12. It can no longer be said Unit that portion of the British Press whose influence counts for anything is ignorant of the reality of the Asiatic question as it atl'ects the British Dominions. Only a year or two ago the objections of the Dominions to allow Asiatics to flood their society was frankly degarded here sis a dog in the manger policy deserving of 'censure. Thanks largely to Sir lan Hamilton's outspoken remarks, the papers that matter share the view of Tihk; Times, which thus' discusses Mr. Alassoy's recent speech:— 'Tf Mr ilassey had wanted to evade the issue >t would, we imagine, have been easy for him to disclaim respond bility for anything said ; by Sir 1-an Hamilton, an Imperial officer, whose 'business in New Zealand was to inspect and report on the Defence Vovce. Mr. Masscy condescended to no such evasion, lie said bluntly that he wou.d not remain for a moment a member of the Government which' did anything of the sort. On the contrary he imi),.cd that the New Zealand Defence Act had for its motive the fear of Asiatic attack and capped this essentially undiplomatic admission by.a statement that he hoped next session to pass legislation prohibiting the entrance of Hindus into New Zealand.

"Home-keeping Englishmen may lie surprised at what may well seem t<; them a tactless and aggressive statement of the views held by a colonial politician on so delicate an issue.. Deprecating mlurmurs wou'd most probably greet such a declaration made bv a member of the Imperial Cabinet anywhere within the British Isles. Yet sentiments of the kind expressed by .Mr ALissey arc approved by a very large majority of tilw oversea peoples. Thc\ kave made their homes in countries which attract the Asiatic iimmgrant.. In some cases, admittedly, they have themselves created this attraction bv the use of indentured Asiatic labor. But they hold, witih a tenacity characteristic of their race, that Asiatic immigration on a large scale is likely to be an obstacle to progress on [British lines. This conviction is at the rcol of their opposition to the influx of Asiatics. It is not merely a selfisihi opposition. At the same time they are *cutely conscious that it involves grave Imperial difficulties. . "It is essential that, we in this country should not be lacking in appreciation of what may lie called the Dominion point of view." The day of a final settlement of the Asiatic difficulty a? it touches the Dominion is not yet. Till it comes the oversea peoples must not be allowed to doubt tat they are secure in the mastery of their own houses."