The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1888. THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1789, 13 September 1888, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1888. THE CHINESE QUESTION.

The Chinese question is assuming immense proportions. Hitherto it consisted chiefly in the pernicious effects o£ Chinamen competing with white labor, and consequently in lowering wages. There was also the danger of Chinamen spreading the dread scourge of leprosy, and the fear that they would demoralise our people by introducing the opium smoking and fan tan gambling customs. We do not think that any one ever really stood in any fear of their demoralising influence. All said upon that head consisted in mere by-play—just introduced as a bit of pudding —as the one real objection, that of cutting down the price of labor, was rather bare. But lately the question has grown into a more important matter. The question now is not so much “ Shall we allow the Chinamen to flood the country and cut down the price of labor?” as “Shall we have to give up the whole country to them altogether?” The more recent news to hand appears to us to indicate that we stand in some danger of the latter contingency. A month or two ago, it was stated positively in this colony that the Emperor of China had issued a circular to Chinamen all over the world to return to their native country within the next three years, during which, efforts would be made to put the Navy of China in fighting trim, with the view of conquering these colonies. No extraordinary importance was attached to this at the time. In fact, we in these colonies appear to think there is not the slightest danger of us, and that above all we have nothing to fear from China. In the older countries, however, the subject does nob appear to have been treated so lightly. The English Government do not appear to care about entering into a dispute with China, and do not altogether approve of the restrictive measures which colonists have proposed for the exclusion of Chinamen. Americans, too, are getting anxious, it is said, on account of the condition of their navy in the case of an attack by China, and, if such is the case, we certainly in this colony may very well think the matter out. If the Americans think they are in the least danger there cannot be much safety for us. It is obvious, too, that China is in the temper to assert her place amongst the nations of the earth, She has rejected the American treaty, and is evidently determined to make her voice heard. There cannot be the slightest doubt but that China is getting a powerful nation, and her defeat of the French in Tonquin is well calculated to inspire her with a desire for further conquest. China has a population of 431,600,000; she can place in the field at a moment’s notice 1,000,000 soldiers ; her navy is said to be powerful, and if she were to take it into her head to make a raid on these colonies there cannot be the slightest doubt but that she would make things very unpleasant for us. She may not have a great deal of money, but she would not require much of it. Her soldiers get on well on six or seven shillings per month, her cavalry get only £1 per month, out of which they must provide and feed their own horses. They are, of course, miserable horses and men, compared with British cavalry, but there could be such large numi bers of them brought into action that would compensate for the deficiency. It is, of course, to be hoped that we shall not be troubled with them, but at the same time it might be as well for us to remember that we stand in danger of such an invasion, and to make the best preparation we can for such a contingency.