THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1739, 19 May 1888, Page 1

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Sydney, May 16. The steamer Menmuir arrived from Canton with fifty-seven Chinese.

The Government baa been advised that th» Supreme Court had no power to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus to the Chinese passengers by the Afghan and Tsinan. The Chinese Restriction Bill being discussed in the House is generally well received, though some members protest against the action of the Government in showing such haste in the matter, and deprecate the attitude assumed towards the Imperial authorities. A petition has been presented to Parliament by the Chinese residents praying that present legislation may not affect their rights, ami those who have left the colony hoping, under the privileges of the present law, to return. May 17. On the motion for the second reading of the Chinese Reliction Bill Sir Henry Parkas said it was a measure to adopt the principle of the treaties between England and China. It extended to Chinese subjects the same rights as were extended to British subjects in China, and no treaty was violated by ils provisions. In u strong speech the Premier proceeded to disclaim any hostility to the Chinese. The only ground of opposition to their introduction was the belief that it was the duty of New South Wales to preserve the type of the British nation pure, and not on any consideration to admit an element of an inferior character to detract from their nutiouuliiy. Ho denied that the Government had acted harshly. The Imperial Government had received ample notice, and neither tor Her Majesty’s representative on the spot nor for the Secretary of State did the Government intern! to turn aside from their purpose, which was to terminate the landing of Chinese for ever, except under the provisions of the Bill, which practically amounted to prohibition. The Chinese would have to reside in places prescribed by the Government, and obtain passports when travelling. They would not be allowed to engage in mining, but other pursuits would be free. The Bill was read a second time on the voices, The number of Chinese now uuder detention here is 530. The Victorian and South Australian Governments, having suggested that a conference should be held before the colonies initiated legislation, are inclined to resent the solated action of New South Wales on the C.iineso question. In the Supreme Court to-day argument was hoard on the app icali »n to make a ru'o nisi absolute for a writ of Habeas Corpus in Te cafco of the Ohieoso pas-itß-gei'S by tin Afghi.’i and Tsinan detained Tuo Court held that Government had no power to detain the men, ami tlmi they vvci o dlegahy kept in custody, imd an order was made by the CouT fur Licit* release.

London, May 16.

The Daily News sayi the deepatch of Sir Henry Paikea on the Chinese question breathes defiance to England, and will not strengthen Lord Salisbury’s hands in his parleyiugs with the Chinese Government.

The Imperial Government are in a dilemma on the Chinese question. Owing to the action of the Australian Colonies they are in active corresponr)e"ce with the Chinese Minister on the subject. Jo iha House of Commons Mr Henmkor Heaton demanded the production of .Sir H. Parkes’s protest against the influx of Chinese, also copies of ad treaties between England and China, Mr W. H. Smith replied that the Government could not comply with the request. Lord Salisbury has received a cable message from the Chinese Government protesting against the action of the Australian colonies in excluding the Chinese. The despatch urged the Biitish Government to impress upon the colonies the necessity of maintaining existing laws, and permitting the Chinese to laud in accordance with the trealy obligations between Great Britain aud China.

The Standard says, on the Chinese question, that (hero is only one course to be pursued by the colonies, and if the Chinese immigration exceeds the necessities of the colonies, they are old enough, and should be strong enough, to settle the difficulty to their own satisfaction.