THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 190, 5 October 1871, Page 7

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

(Concluded.)

(To Hie Editor.)

Sib, — Most people who have been residing on the diggings will call to their recollection that it is a frequent and common occurrence for numbers of miners to leave their homes at certain seasons and go away into the outskirts. Now, if the Chinese predominate in numbers, and they, suppose, the mightiest of the two, I presume to say they will not hesitate to perpetrate any abomination on our unprotected females. Only refer to the archives of Chinese history, even of the present ape, and you will perceive what atrocities they can commit when they are not kept in awe. Suppose any such thing should happen, how are the culprits to be detected and punished ? they would never be found ; and other monstrosities would be accomplished if the Chinese were not kept in proper subjection ; woe be to Otago ! Those who infest this country belong to the lowest grade in their own, usually residing in boats upon the rivers, and there eking out a scanty and precarious living — in fact, bordering on slavery. How can it be even presumed that they will ever make good and desirable colonists with such habits* as they Lave contracted in their own couutry. The Europeans must be very far gone if they could in any way associate with them. What a grand sight to see our pompus John Bull sitting opposite John Chinaman using chopsticks — for he must use them for etiquette's sake, John Chinaman having invited him.

In conclusion it is most desirable that this emigration should be stopped at onoe ; there is no time io be lost The first thing the Government should do would be to put a poll tax upon them ; if they do not desire to do that, then perhaps some of our great legislators will arrive at some expedient to expunge them. I do not agree with taxing them, poor souls, because of our folly in letting them come over and harbour amongst us. Why not allow them to take their chance with the rest. It would seem very unjust to tax extra their articles of consumption. If our Government has not the courage to stop their influx in an honest and straightforward manner, at least, do not put on extra taxes, for besides, consider the inconvenience to the Europeans. The Chinese as a body are no doubt hardworking, and fully deserve ill they pi-oour©, bufc it is most desirable that our kith and kin should to helped first, *» A — « Uiiidren should nr.*- \>~ an nungered for the sake of these hungry Chinese. « I say most emphatically that Otago does not require poor working population ; she requires men of capital and means who could provide labour, not men who want employment. Every degree of persons are aware that the labour market is glutted; the evil does not arise in want of population, but of capitalists and monied men, who could do every branch of trade good by circulating their money. This emigration system can be likened to the following: — Numbers of people are sent to reap a field ; when they arrive, they find it full of reapers, and the corn reaped. It would have, been more advantageous to have made or sown more fields first, and then would those reapers have found work to do. So it is the same predicament in which Otago is now situated. They send in ceaseless quantities of poor to the land, when there is no work for them. The Chinese Government is wise in its generation ; instead of bringing people into China they send them forth to these golden countries, thereby in return adding wealth to themselves, j which is accomplished by these inhabitants returning rich to their own land, to make and sow these fields to reap, and benefit their kindred. Verily, they are a great nation and clever to a degree, and even look to the future condition of their children. Not so John Bull; he has no thought for the morrow — " Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof " with him. As long as he has sufficient individually, what cares he for the raising generation, our children, and their welfare. Ah, John, John ! Thou wert ever selfish to a degree, and in this case for a few paltry pounds, toenlarge a revenue "which would be ample and to spare if it weri properly managed, and not spent heedlessly — Quot homines tot sententiae. Switzers, 22nd Sep. Junius.