TEMUKA LITERARY SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2091, 28 August 1890, Page 3

TEMUKA LITERARY SOCIETY.

The regular meeting of the members of the above society was held on Tuesday evening last in the Social Hall, Temuka. The Rev. «T. Dickson presided, and there was a large attendance, the meeting being thrown open to the general public. The subject of debate was: “Should the Chinese be admitted to New Zealand •s heretofore?” The affirmative was championed by the Rev. White, of Pleasant Point, while,' the members of the' Timaru Presbyterian Church Debating Society, led by Mr Blake, took the negative view of the question. The Rev. Mr White, in dealing with the question, admitted that m many respects the Chinese were not desirable neighbors. This, however, he contended was not the real question at issue. It was rather as to whether New Zealanders, as British subjects, ■ Could refuse them admission to the colony. Ho said “ No!” Such & course was contrary to the spirit animating the country. It would violate all those traditions of freedom upon which Britons prided themselves. It was contrary to the laws of naturalisation, in which. the Chinese were allowed to share. It would also bb a violation of international law. Any person coming into the colony and behaving himself as a decent citizen was entitled to pretention. A refusal tr admit them might also jeopardise'the lives of many British subjects now in China, and such a case could not be warranted. In conclusion, Air White urged that, although the Chinese left the country as soon :as they had earned such a sum & represented to them a moderate competence, still they learned much

good from associating with Europeans, and in turn brought this good influence to bear upon their countrymen. As churchmen also it came to them as a vital principle that they should carry the Q-ospel to these men and elevate them to become good members of society. Mr Blake, of Timaru, in opposing the admission of the Chinese, stated that there was ample room for them in their own country. They had no occasion to emigrate for a living. They came simply for what they could get; : The Chinese were now copying the!strong points of European civilisation, and were just beginning to feel their power. Erom America —the land of freedom-—they had been excluded for 80. years, for the people there realised the* magnitude of the evil. He admitted that at present there was no legal means of stopping their entry, bat contended that the time had come •when it should be stopped by legis-

He contested the statement of Mr-White that the Chinaman was elevated by association with Europeans; Such was not the case, for a Chinaman; was so repulsive to a European that they were only brought into contact -with the very lowest orders. Their habits of lire, their willingness to work for a pittance upon Which a European could not exist,.and;the; fact, that every penny earned was a prisoner made them far from desirable colonists. They could not contribute to the wealth of the country. Mr Blake considered the admission of Chinese a suicidal policy. Certain dykes of prejudice kept them in check npw,;but broken down'they would- swamp the country. He did not believe returned Chinameh|took hack godd'impreßßiohs or improved themselves in any way. Mr Fish and Sir George Grey both took Hhe same view, and at public meetings had emphatically said “ Stop them.” !

Mr J. Mi Twomey supported Mr White. He did not loye the China men and it had not been his lot to lore a Chinawoman. In considering the question they had first to consider the brotherhood of man. The whole world was tending that way. Until 60 years ago China had lived by' itself. England then stepped in,then America, then France, and all wanted a share of, the good things of the Celestial Kingdom. The Chinese in turn heard of Australia, and reckoned they had a right ta- sharet here, and now, , with characteristic insensibility to justice, John Bull said they should not enter his domains. Was this right ? Hardly, unless justice varied with degrees of latitude. As to civilisation the Chinese, as evidenced by the writings of Confucius were educated when the Aryan race were mere savages. Confucius laid down laws of the greatest morality. ; Offences against morality were the greatest crimes and filial affection was esteemed one of their highest virtues. As a.matter of fact the prejudice against them was on ] account of their virtues rather than their vices. They worked cheap and well, and did not drink nor smoke. Mr Twomey concluded with some humorous protests against accepting the dictim of politicians on the question, and made some amusing allusions to the cabbage industry. Mr Outhbert, of Timaru, supported Mr Blake, and traversed Mr White’s arguments. Ho contended that the admission of the Chinese had a tendency to reduce the moral standing of the people and they ought to be excluded. They were, shortly, unsatisfactory colonists. Their mode of living was bad, and reduced the value of property wherever they settled. 5 be question of Imperial interests should not enter into the debate. Other nations had seen the evil of ftiAir entrv. and had taken measuies to prevent it, and looking at the Ohinaman from the point of his

morality and general conduct, be could not consider him a desirable colonist.

Mr J. Brown, the Rev. B, S. Bunn, Mr J. Sim, and Mr Bryars supported Mr White, while Messrs' Storier, Hutton, and others took up cudgels upon the negative side. At the conclusion of a lively debate a vote was taken, first of members only, and secondly of the general public. The members obtained a majority in favor of Mr White’s motion, but the general public' were strongly in favor of his opponents, The meeting dispersed after passing, on the motion of Mr H. M, Miles, a hearty vote of thanks to the Timaru representatives for their attendance;