THE CHINESE QUESTION THIRTYFIVE YEARS AGO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2483, 9 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CHINESE QUESTION THIRTYFIVE YEARS AGO.

The following are copies of a resolution passed by the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce upon the Chinese question some 35 years ago, and of a speech of a Chinaman on the question published in the Argus at that time :— "A special general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon at the Exchange Rooms, Collins-street, for the purpose, according to the circular issued, of considering the following questions : ' First, whether under the treaty with China any British colony has power to exclude the natives of China. Second, to consider whether the Government of Victoria can impose any restrictions on the passenger intercourse betweon Chiua and this colony. Third, in case of passing any exclusive law relative to the Chinese, to what extent the lives and property of British snbjects in China would thereby be affected. Fourth, what effect such interference would have upon the commercial interests of Great Britain and the Australasian colonies in connection with China. Fifth, what measures might be beneficially adopted by this colony with the view of securing' peace and harmony between the Chinese aud tho inhabitants." SPEECH OF QUAN CIIEW.

' Lately arrived, a m.in, being good in his reasons and affections, and fifth cousin of the Mandarin, Te Quan Tsing, Loo, who possesses many gardens near Macao. "Kind people of the gold-enticing land ! I, a man of some years beyond the rest of us Chinese who have recently disembarked upon the hospitable shores of your yellow fields ; also a man wishing very humbly to express the gratitude of his heart, and of all those who accompany him, or who have gone before us, and not forgetting all those who are humbly on the way; 1 being, moreover, a man of moderation and cautious judgment, oven after looking on both sides of the bridge according to the wise laws and advice of Chung Foo T'see and Lao Shang, cannot but give words to my surprise at some of the roughly-split and knotty bamboos which, aa wo are informed by the tongue of our interpreter Atchai, have been swung threateningly above the shoulders of all the golden sea-crossing people of the central Flowery Empire, our much distant native land. "Man, being subject to many changes and dark clouds, must submit with resignation. Man must bo patient, and otherwise exceedingly respectful. All good laws teach this, and all dutiful Chinese reverence the laws, because they are the finest flowers and fruits which the hoavenly suu extracts from the roots of wisdom. Therefore man must bow before his governors and superiors, because they are the roots of wisdom. With all becoming ceremonies we wish to approach and bow before the Governor of this town. " Understanding, by the assurances of many respectable people in our own country and additionally convinced by others who had voyaged to this land and returned to the central Flowery Empire, that, not only do the people of England come here, but the people of India, and Japan, and America, and also from French lands and other places; aud having been informed that there were no people of any country who were excluded, and that those people were oven welcomed with both hands and the sound of triangles aud kettles (meaning drums) who came from civilized places, where the arts and other useful labours were studied from the wisest and most ancient traditions, and were industriously cultivated, now, therefore, in all reverence, and with every proper ceremony I, the speaker of this, Quan Chew, a very humble man, but having reason, do not | think it will justly balance in your wise Governor's hand, when bitter and unfruitful councillors (more literally mandarins made of orange peel) propose that all nations shall be welcomed here, excepting the Chinese. I appeal to you all, diversified people of the gold-enticing country, if this would not be a hard grained and distorted proceeding ? At tho thought of being sent home with disgrace, and for no wrong done, we blush, though innocent, wo tremble excessively, though free from guilt. " Among our numbers, we have meu well skilled in gardening, and tho cultivation of all sorts of fruits aud flowers ; likewise carpenters, and workers in finu wood, and in ivory, which wo hoar abounds in your forests ; also, cunning

agriculturists, who know how to manago

the worst as well as tho best soils, particularly Leu Lee and his five nephews; also, two men accustomed to make ornamental bridges, aud a skilful man named Yaw, who can make the best kites, having wings with great glass eyes, not to be surpassed; likewise Yin, who understands tho . breeding of fish, and birds, and dogs and cats; also many excellent cooks, who would allow nothing to be wasted ; and, moreover, we have lock makers, and toy makers, aud many umbrella makers, greatly needed ; and inventors of puzzles and fireworks, and carvers of fans and chessmen, and some who make musical instruments, which others cm play. Why should all these things be sent back with disgrace ? " If it has unfortunately happened that any among our people, through iguorar.ca of your laws, have committed any offences, let them suffer the punishment awarded, and due to igtiorgnce. Man must be instructed, either by wise precepts or by punishment. That is all I shall -say on this matter. But it is neccssary that I should speak about gold. "Thinking very considerably on the subject, I can see very surely that it is not every man who can find much gold. Some indeed will find none at all. The poor men will need to live on the labour of others, who will not be pleased with

the arrangement. Therefore, these poor men will return to this town, and to all your smaller towns and villages, and villas and farms, and sell their skill and their services in their several ways for a little money, and perhaps rice. " Why should all our gardeners and cooks and fish and bird breeders and conjurors be driven away in scorn when they might be of use to many others if allowed to remain here ? Should it be deemed prudent not to allow above ten or twenty thousand more Chinese to come here, it surely would be a harsh proceeding to send away any of those who have already conic so far, and are all full of respect.

"I will propose one thing in particular. Being aware that the governors of this place are always chosen as being most eminent in wisdom, also being well informed of the great extent of land in the distant regions beyond the town, and that the greatest part of those lands have never been cultivated, I the speaker of this, Quang Chew, a humble man, but having some little sense, feel very certain that mo3t of those men of different countries who have found much gold have purchased land from the governor of the soil. Man delights in having land, and also iu orchards and gardens, and prosperous farms. If, then, these places have not been cultivated, it is because thofo who have been bought, or perhaps been presented with all these small farina and fields for good conduct, by your generous and rational Governor, are men accustomed to dig for gold, and not to till the soil, or else not numerous onough for tho work of cultivation, Per-

haps, also, not being cunning in those labours. " If this speech have any reason in it, I know it will be beard with a close ear, and the head leaning on one side ; and I most anxiously hope that tho Governor of this town, and all the towns and land beyond, will condoscend to weigh and measure, and reflect a little upon my words ; in tho belief of which, with all humbleness of heart, and respectful C-'remonies, we await, in silence, the vermilioncoloured reply."