THE CHINESE IMMIGRATION ACT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 10234, 25 June 1883, Page 2

THE CHINESE IMMIGRATION ACT.

DEPUrATION OP CHINAMEN. (PJEB UNITED PEES 3 ASSOCIATION.) Wellington", June 24, A^ deputation of Chinese residents yesterday waited upon the Hon. Mr Bolleston for the purpose of laying before him a statement of the injustice done to many of their countrymen under the Chinese Immigration ""Aot, which provides for the imposition of a tax of ;610 on every Chinaman coming to New Zealand without an exemption certifi cate. The deputation was introduced by Mr McOoll, who acted as spokesman. Mr McColl pointed out to the honourable gentleman that many Chinesa residents had failed, through ignorance, to take out certificates of exemption during the time appointed by Parliament, which would necessitate a payment of £I*o per head if they left the colony and desired to return to it, and explained that the object which the deputation had in view was to solicit the assistance of the Ministry in getting the law amended, so that the Celestials in question, as well ns those who would hereafter visit New Zealand, might be enabled to procure passports similar to those issued to Europeans under the famous Chiuese Treaty. Mr McColl said that it was very hard that a man who had assisted to dovelope the resources of the colony should be lequired to pay the tax a second time because ho went on a visit to a neighbouring colony for a few months, and adduced two or three instances in which the Chinese had been thus treated. The same gentleman also mentioned that a petition was in course of signature by the Chinese residents of the colony praying Parliament to hang up the Immigration Act until the population has increased to 7000. Mr Kollestos, in reply, said the question was one that he was not familiar with, and inquiries would have to be made before he could form an opinion as to the merits of the claim made by the deputation. 'He thought the b^st thing the deputation could do would be to add this matter to the petition which they intended to present to Parliament, and tha committee could then enquire into the two questions at the fame lime. The hon. gentleman pointed out that considerable difficulty existed in regard to proving the identification of those individuals who ha r l certificates, Chinese not being so easily identified as Europeans. After some further remarks, Mr Rolleston promised to inquire into the matter, and the deputation then withdrew.