THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1907. ASIATIC IMMIGRATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8436, 7 May 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1907. ASIATIC IMMIGRATION.

During the course of his present visit to the Old Country, the Premier (Sir J. G. Ward) has taken the opportunity to express ths feeling in New Zealand that exists against Asiatic immigration. That that feeling is a healthy patriotic sentiment goes without saying, but we do not propose to deal with this aspect of the question on the present occasion. The caiise of the feeling, of course, springs from a sense - of national danger, for, as the Premier has remarked, "Some day there may be a struggle between ' the white and yellow races, and we cannot let the latter settle in and perhaps overrun our colonies as they please." By the last English mail, we have received a copy of the London Daily Telegraph, containing a report of an interview which a representative of that paper had with Sir Joseph Ward. Asked as to what was going to be the policy of his Government in regard to British as well as alien immigration, the Premier replied that "various schemes of immigration from the United Kingdom have been suggested, with provision in some cases for financial assistance from the Imperial Government. But in New Zealand we are of opinion that no such scheme should be countenanced or encouraged by the Imperial Government without the concurrence of the dependency con-

cerned. The question Of alien immi- j gration will doubtless arise. New I Zealand already prohibits Chinese I from entering, except on payment of ' a poll-tax of £IOO. I favour that j policy, and am not prepared to | weaken it. I believe it is beneficial J and in the interests of the*preservation of a white race. The feeling in New Zealand is virtually unanimous against the admission of the Eastern races, whether Chinese or Japanese. I am not blind to the fact that the two Eastern nations do not stand altogether on the same plane. We have not forgotten that j Great Britain has incurred serious obligations to other nations, but, we think it desirable that a definite understanding should be arrived at with the Imperial Government respecting the position of the Colonies in regard to British treaty engagements. We object to being bound under treaties in which we had no voice, to admit foreign' coloured people to the Colonies. Without going so far as to claim the right of absolute prohibition, we yet maintain that we ought to enjoy the power to regulate and control such alien immigration. Many English statesmen seem surprised at this attitude, but reflection and some colonial experience would jjoon make converts of them. AI .my rate, it is a i vital matter to New Zealand. Probably the one thing that would be most bi:terly resented in the Colonies would ue an attempt to force them to admit the Eastern races against their will. It ought not to be difficult for the Mother Country in all future treaties with foreign Powers or renewals of existing treaties to conserve the rights of 1 the Colonies in this regard. And in connection with the Pacific Islands, a somewhat similar problem arises. Owing to geographical conditions both the Commonwealth and New Zealand are closely concerned in all that affects the Pacific Islands. It is therefore of importance that the colonial Governments should be consulted respecting any convention or treaty entered into by the Imperial Government with any foreign. Power relating to those islands. This was not done in the case of the New 'Hebrides Convention with France, arid the result has not been satisfactory to the Commonwealth and New Zealand." In f exoressing the foregoing opinions there is no doubt but that the Premier voiced, the feeling of a very great majority of the people in this country. THE SCHOOL JOURNAL.

We are in receipt of a copy of the . "School Journal," prepared for different classes, and issued by the Education Department. Candidly we consider that the different "parts" are very poor, indeed, and especially that part which is for use by clasess V f and VI. We can well understand that-a good School Journal would be of considerable benefit to the children generally, and with the Department's desire we are in cordial sympathy, but we do not consider that the "Journal" under notice is at all in keeping with the object aimed at. The Journal has come fo hand "with the compliments of the Minister of Education," but we cannot possibly compliment the Minister, upon the production. There is so little in the Journal, and nothing bright, or original, or anything that is either specially suitable or attractive, so far as we can see. Take part 111., for instance, it contains a long extract from "Ivanhoe," Leigh Hunt's pretty little poem, "Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel," a semi description of ."Isandlwana," an article devoted to "Pelorus Jack," in which, goodness, only knows why, the entire Order-in-Council protecting the fish is quoted. This is pretty well all, but* perhaps, refeis ence should be made to several very ordinary jokes of the "chestnut" variety. • Here is one of them. "All the Difference : 'Boo-hoo, boohoo!" cried the little boy. 'Whatis the matter?' asked the kind lady. 'My farver's been be-beating me.' 'Well, cheer up, my little man; most fathers have to beat little boys at times, if they're naughty.' 'But you don't know my farver. He ain't like other far vers. He's in the brass band, and beats'the big drum. So it hurts ever so much more!' " The "School Journal" is certainly not at all the sort of journal that we anticipated it would be, and we have very serious doubts as to its usefulness. A school journal should surely be something more than an ordinary "reader"?