THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2486, 16 June 1888, Page 2

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Sydney, June 13. The Chinese Conference today agreed to the following resolutions : — " That the further restriction of Chinese immigration is essential to the welfare of tho people of Australasia." •' That the necessary restrictions will be best secured by diplomatic action on the part of the Imperial Government, and by uniform legislation by the colonies." " That the colonies should lnnke a joint representation on the subject to the Imperial Government." " That a bill be drafted embodying the foregoing resolutious." / Messrs. Dcakin, Kingston, and Macrossan were appointed a committee to draw up a remonstrance and prepare a Bill, and were instructed that the provisions of the Bill should be made to apply to all Chinese, whether British subjects or not; that each vessel should not carry more than one passenger for every 500 tons, and that the influx of Chinese from ono colony to another should be made a misdemeanour. June 14. The following are in effect the replies cabled by Lord Knutsford to certain questions asked by the Chinese Conference :— " The Imperial Government are anxions to meet the views of Australia, but the measure passed by New South Wales placed obstacles in the way of negotiating with China, and it is desirable to ascertain if other arrangements can be made, more in accordance with the views of China. " The Chinese Government object particularly to Chinese emigrants being placed on a different footing to those belonging to other nations. "The action of the Imperial Government will altogether depend on the nature of the prosposals to be submitted by the Conference."

Sir Henry Parkes, as president of the Conference, replied to the following effect :—

" The Conference had considered the question from the standpoint of the political and commercial interests of the Empire, and the commercial interests of the colonies.

"No attempt had yet been made te close the Australian markets agaiust the Chinese.

"As the negotiations between the Imperial Government and China must occupy an uncertain time, several Australian Governments felt impelled to legislate immediately to protect Australia against an invasion, which was to be dreaded in its effect on the labour market, and on the social and moral condition of the people.

" The Conference was anxious that Great Britain should negotiate: with the Chinese Government, and, if possible, conclude a treaty with that country for the exclusion from the Australian colonies of all Chinese, except officials, travellers, merchants, and students.

"By way of assisting the Impprial Government to give effect to this proposal, the Conference recommended the abolition of the poll tax. "The Conference believed, that the existing local legislation was sufficient to accomplish the immediate:object, which waa restriction, but would prefer the exclusion to be brought about by' means of international agreement.

"The Conference further desired that the Imperial Government should induce the Governments of Hongkong aud the Straits Settlements to at once prohibit the emigration of Chinese to the Australian colonies." A draft Bill, giving effect to the above points, has been approved. A resolution was carried unanimously pledging all the colonies to thu general Bill of the Conference. The Conference has now concluded its sittings, the Hon. Mr Oliver, the New Zealand delegate, not having reached Sydney iu time to attend its sittings. June 15. The Tasmaui.in Government dissents* from the decision of the Chinese Conference, aud to the objections wired by Lord Knutsford. All the other colonies are satisfied but Western Australia, which being Crowu colouy did not express any opinion; At Newcastle 40 Chinese on board the Chaugsha waited on the. captain, armed with knives and tomahawks, aud insisted on the payment of £10 each before they returned to Chiua. The money was paid.