The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 882, 2 November 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1871.

The Chinese question continues to call forth considerable discussion in Otago, where opinion appears to be much divided as to their proving a desirable class of settlers. The matter was considered of sufficient importance by the present Parliament, to induce the Legislature to appoiut a Select Committee., whose duty it was to report as to the probable effect of Chinese immigration upon the goldfields, and the social condition of the colony. The report of this Committee is not yet to hand. As a rule, all that is advanced by those advocating the introduction of a Mongolian .population is, that they are enabled by associated labour, to work auriferous "ground profitably, which hitherto has not been worked by Europeans, owing to the absence in them of a similar combination of effort; and, that they are industrious, peaceably disposed, and on the whole very orderly. We may here add, that the enquries of the Committee have been made not with a view of considering the question of offering any encouragement to their introduction, but to ascertain their effect upon a European population, and the possible necessity of taking steps to check further immigration. So far the evidence taken by the Committee, although chiefly of a negative character, has been such as to scarcely point to the necessity of restricting them as immigrants. At the same time, we think, that this is due solely to the special circumstances under which the Chinese are at present located in New Zealand. Aa yet, they have not entered to any appreciable extent into competition with Europeans. They have been enabled to settle upon auriferous ground which was for a time abandoned, and so long as they find remunerative employment in re-weking old and poor ground, they Will remain unmolested until the presence of a largo population shall

have been the means of bringing them into contact with the resideut white population. It becomes a question whether at the present time they ore not taking up ground, which, though not considered payable now, considering the ; rate of wages and other circumstances, may again he practically valuable in a few years, when population has spread, and the cost of living has been lessened. On national grounds their introduction is objectionable ; firstly, because they do not permanently settle in any foreign country ; and, secondly, because their religion and degraded social habits, were they ever anxious to become permanent settlers, would form insuperable impediments. At first the influx of Chinesehas given, doubtless,an impetus to trade, and employment in various directions, but the time has already arrived when they conduct their own mercantile transactions, and grow their own produce. In trade and produc'i >ns, therefore, the benefit will be restricted to themselves; and having amassed capital while amongst us, they will ultimately carry it off to their own country But gold workings cannot last indefinitely, and the Chinese must early, as experienced in California, come to enter into competition with the white man in the various trades. To the capitalist constructing large public works or engaged in any considerable industry or manufacturing pursuit, this may be thought advisable, but we think otherwise. The healthy vitality of any country is inseparably connected with the prosperity of the labouring man, and we feel assured that the natural progress of the colony and increase of population will entail burdens upon the industrial classes early enough without hastening the evil hour by admitting hordes of Chinese." They bring no •women with them, and rarely intermarry with Europeans; nor is it desirable that they should do so ; but this very circumstance would enable them to compete on the most advantageous terms with the white man.