THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8383, 18 March 1907, Page 5

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

"FAIRPLAY" CRITICISED,

(To the Editor)

Sir, —A letter has been shown to me, written by a person who signed himself "Fairplay." His principal reason for writing seems to be to defend the Chinese. His second reason seems to be to insult the Maoris, whom he calls niggers. Now, as I cannot come personally in communication with "Fairplay"-which is all the better, perhaps, for/him —I take this opportunity of answering his insulting letter. lam a Maori from Kaikohe, Bay of Islands district. I can speak, read and write English, though I have not had a education. I have earned m y'living at gum-digging, kaur; bush work, and for the last years or so i have followed the sea. I have been in Perth, Albany, Thursday Island and many other islands, and have seen the ' Chllim both at their best and worst. I haVd been in some ox their houses in Sydney, in Goulburn and Wexford Streets, but not for any other purpose than to see theplaceS and to mark a ticket. But I saw enough. As I know the Chinaman so well, you can understand how insulted I and other Maoris feel when we are sneered at and the Chinaman so much praised, and by a person who is evidently afraid to sign his own name and hides behind the name of "Fairplay." If this gentleman cares to have a look round some of these "opium joints," as they are called, and would then care to be a guest at my father's house, I think he would alter his opinion considerably. I have not earned my living at sea without knowing the meaning of "cursed Chow" and "damned nigger." My ancestors fought as bravely for their gumfield grounds as ever Mr "Fairplay's" did to take them from them. My opinion is that the Chinese are a dirty, filthy, race. I know that many of my people are addicted to- drink, but it was "Fairplay Vpeople who brought that evil for them and it is being gradually reduced,- whereas the Chinaman does nat want any of our evils—he has brought enough of his own. I hope you will excuse me for taking up so much space, and I thank you, on beha'lf of my people, for opportunity of answering "Fairplay's" insult.—l am; etc., PENE N RAMEKA. ' Queen Street, Masterton,. March 16th, 1907.