THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4064, 16 March 1892, Page 2

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Mooting of BoaidontSi 1 Fonuatioa of an Anti-Ohlnoso Association, A mooting oonvoned by private cits --*vcular of those intoi'ested in the Ohineae question was held la tho workroom of Mr Whitt last night. About fifty persons were present, including a number of, tho leading tradesmen of the town. The chat was occupied by Mr G. Heron, who called upon Mr J. E, Graham, as convenor, to state tho objects of the meeting, ~.-,■ Mr Graham spoko at some length upon the Chinese question, He said the evil was now in its infancy, bat there was no telling how lar it would "'■ extend, The most effective remedy for the Chinese influx waa a - poll tax, (Applanse,) ■ ,»"' The Chairman asked for a resolution!,./ ' ontlie subject. A poll tax might be of service, but they had to deal with an evil already in existence, Mr Wliitt thought the question should be dealt with dispassionately, I was no doubt that the Chinese, . if they increased in numbers, would prove a ourso, aa they had done in fAmerica, They, should bind themselves not to support tho Chinamen, , and try and induoe owners of property not to let their shops to them.' He •suggested that a subscription 'might . ; ~v : be raised to open a shop available to' , fruit growers, He would move, "That. ~:/.]

this meeting form itsolf into an AntiChinroe Association," . Mr Graham seconded.and suggested the formation of a working committen. MrPrangnoll supported the motion, and advocated the imposition of a poll tax of from £SO to £IOO. Ho had been told that the present tax of jEIO was refunded when the Chinese left the country, > The Chairman did not think that ft 1 " was tho case. *•> . The resolution was put ami carried unanimously, Mr W. Wlntt was elected Secretary j/ to (lie Association. On the motion of Mr Marsh it was r solved that the Secretary oouimunicate with the local asscmMy of the Knight's of Labour and request their co-operation. MrHogg, M.H.R., addressed the meeting at some- length on tho subject. He said tin; question was one ofvital importance to Now Ze;ilai:d, and, indeed, to (he wh-do of Australasia. The influx of Chinese was an evil which had been foreseen ior many years punt, The evil in their midst was at piesmt only on a small scale, but like the codiin moth if allowed to spread it would become a great nuisance If the country were invaded by the Chinese storekeepers as well as working men would suffer. (A voice: Never I) It was all very well to say " never," but if a torch were set to a Imilding it J would bo difficult to stop tho iiro. (A voice: More shame to tho British people I) They had a grand oppor- , tunity now for taking action, They | . had the fullest sympathy of the ( Premier. Legislation should be | brought about to slop the immigration of the Chinese, or at least in huge numbers. The American Governs , ment had taken tho matter up, and ( from its geographical position New , Zealand should uiovo to protect itself. The evil was a dire one, In Welling- j ton nearly every other tradesman was , a Chinaman, He would suggest tho { iormation of a working Committee. , The effect of that meeting should be | felt throughout tho Colony. A pub- f lie market should be formed to under-, ] sell the Chinese in fruit (hear, hear), ( and the Government should be t induced to take up the matter of the , influx, If the Chinese found they { could do a good business they would Overrun the Colony. It was time l something was done to stop the influx. t (applause). j Mr Chisholm was qnito in harmony « mg with what Mr Hogg had said. He <] W. would be quito willing to join the t Association, ~ Mr Whitt referred to the quality of c the goods retailed by the Chinamen, |, About twenty persons, including I some of tho leading tradesmen, then a gave in their names as members of a the Association, and n working com- [, ffiittee having been appointed, the 0 meeting was adjourned till Monday „ next, v