THE RUSSIAN JEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2464, 14 February 1893, Page 3

THE RUSSIAN JEWS.

The following telegram was forwarded by the Hon. S. E. Shrimski, from Oamaru, to the Hon. the Premier at Wanganui:—" I observe that you wired to the Agent-General to assist in preventing Russian Jews coming to the colonies. As such action is likely to create ill-feeling, and is begotten of bigotry towards my co-religionists, I challenge you to prove that the Jews would make unworthy citizens of the colony. How many Jews are in receipt of public charity ? How many are in the industrial schools ? How many are in the gaols of the colony ] How many of their deserted wives and families are a burden on the State ? Sir, 1 am not a bit surprised at the action of the Liberal Labour Council, who are peculiarly selfish, but I am surprised at a Liberal Government who are supposed to look upon all men as equal, irrespective of race or creed, urging their Agent-General to take such a narrow-minded and illlibral step. How many of the men arriving in the colony at tho present time without means will look to the Government for assistance ? The Je,vs are a peaceable and law-abiding people all over the world, and the step you are urging is a direct insult to every one of that religion in the colony. —■ S. E. Shrimski."

In reply to the Hon. S. E. Shrimski, who protested against the Government's action in instructing the Agent-General to assist in preventing Russian Jews being sent to the Colony, the Premier says :■— " I have received your telegram. With regard to the first point, it is not on the ground of religion that we object to the arrival of the five hundred Jews. Our action would be precisely the same if they were Christians or Mohammedans. As regards the next point, while admitting that the Jews in the Colony are good citizens, it surely does not follow that the coming of five hundred paupers with more to follow (sent out by a charitable aid society) is a desirable advent; and as to the third point it is distinctly the duty of a Liberal Government to protect its own people, whose happiness and welfare are in its keeping, from an influx of paupers. Surely you should be the first to condemn the heartless and reckless action of that so-called charitable society in sending out these poor people without even consulting the Government of the Colony to which they are to be deported. The people themselves deserve our sympathy, because they are made the. victims of as cruel an action as ever distinguished any body of men. Reserve your indignation, therefore, for the conduct of your co-re-ligionists at Home, who, under the misapplied name of charity, are earning the contempt of the civilised world."

The Trades and Labour Councils at Wellington and Dunedin have protested against the introduction of Jewish refugees into the colonies.

The Premier of Victoria will act conjointly with the other colonies in resisting the landing of Jewish refugees.