THE ALLEGED CHINESE EDICT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1763, 14 July 1888, Page 3

THE ALLEGED CHINESE EDICT.

The Wellington Post reiterates that the Chinese edict story is reliable, but the Government have no information on the subject. The Otago Daily Times says:— “We have made enquiries regarding the circular which it is alleged the Chinese have received from Pekin, and; learn that there is some truth in the statement. The manager of the firm of Kwong Sing Wing, Stafford street, assured our representative that news had been received to the effect that China was going to make preparation for fighting by manufacturing small arms and other implements of warfare, but he thought there was no immediate prospect of war. He said there was no truth in the statement that all Chinese had to return to their native country at the end of three years.” The Auckland Star has obtained a literal translation of the alleged Chinese edict, and says it contained nothing beyond some advice and information from the Governor of Canton. An Auckland Celestial, Thomas Quoi, interpreted the document as follows: —‘From the Governor of Canton (no reference whatever is made to New Zealand or to Auckland). Complaints have been made to the big merchants in China by the Chinese people out of China that they have been badly treated. They are advised not to import any more goods from China. The world is wideb and there is plenty of room for the Chinese at home. Don’t let other people treat you as they have done. There are plenty of places in China for business.” • Quoi added that there was no command by the Governor of Canton, and that he simply advised them not to remain where they were badly treated; neither was there any suggestion as to the Chinese out of the Empire going home within three years, nor any remarks whatever about the Chinese army, as mentioned in the edict published by the Wellington Post. This circular was considered at a meeting of the Chinese residents at Auckland on Monday, some twenty of them being desirous of accepting the advice given them. Many have not money to pay their passages, and they experience a further difficulty in leaving the colony, because the Steamship Companies will not took them to Sydney, whence they might obtain passages to Hongkong. Those present at the meeting resolved to do all in their power to provide funds towards paying the passage money of those who desire to return home.