CHINESE IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE.

H.—No. 4.

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higher. In this manner, again, the Chinese merchant and speculators have an advantage over the European, in which there can be no rivalship. Thus, again, at the expense of New Zealand European colonists, who founded the Government and country, he stands in a position singular in its fortune, unattainable in its advantages. This alone, should Chinese immigration increase very much, must tend to impoverish both the capitalists and labourers of the European race. 2. Mr. Carrington.] Would it not be possible to prevent the introduction of leprosy into this country by Chinese immigrants by some supervision, at Chinese ports, by officers whose duty it would be to allow no diseased person to embark in an emigrant ship ? —I do not think it would be possible to make such arrangements; and even if it were, the course suggested would be by no means a safeguard, as leprosy runs in the blood and may break out at any time. 3. Mr. Harrison] Erom what part of China do the Otago immigrants come ?—Erom the Southern ports. 4. Is there any difference in physique or character between the Northern Mongolians and Southern Chinese ? —There is a great difference'in favour of the former, particularly as regards the women, who are more robust and also of more virtuous habits than the women of Southern China. Polygamy, although not forbidden by law, is not generally practised in the North. There is no immigration from Northern China. 5. Mr. Carrington] Then, I understand, from your report, that you think it desirable that steps should at once be taken absolutely to prevent Chinese immigration to this country ? —I do ; because of their habits, and the injurious influence their presence in this country must have. 6. Mr Reynolds] What do you think would be the best plan to adopt to prevent it ? —I think the best plan would be that adopted in the Cape Colony: there they stop supplies by forbidding the sale of provisions to Chinese, and so compel them to return. In Java, the Dutch Government impose a poll tax, and require a security from the leading Chinese merchants for the good behaviour of each Chinaman immigrating. 7. Mr. Harrison] Can you state whether, in Australia or elsewhere, any duty is imposed on provisions, &c, used by the Chinese ? —Not that I am aware of. 8. Do you think Chinamen immigrating to this country are likely to become permanent settlers in it ?—I do not think so. John Ah Tong in attendance and examined. 9. Witness stated, in reply to questions by the Chairman, that he was a native of Canton; left Canton eleven and a half years ago ; was then twenty-one and a half years of age. Was now residing in Wellington, and carrying on business as a cabinetmaker. Had been married, since his arrival in this country, to a European, a native of Wellington. Had not been previously married in China. Was now a widower. 10. The Chairman] Supposing that you had happened to have been married in China, would you have considered yourself at liberty to marry again in this country while your first wife was still living ? — I should not consider myself justified in doing so, but it is a matter of opinion among my countrymen; there is no law in China to forbid it. 11. What is the average cost of living in China for persons of the labouring class?—Erom |d. to 6d. per day ; the first-named sum belongs to the very poorest class ; to single men, labourers, the cost is about 3s. 6d. per week. 12. What are the current rates of wages in China ?— Erom Sd. to 9d. per day for labourers, and half a dollar (2s. 2d.) for mechanics. 13. Have you ever been on the diggings ? —Only for a few months, and know very little about gold mining. 14. Is there any prohibition by the Chinese authorities against the emigration of women? There is no law against it; indeed a large number of women, some thousands, emigrated to California, but the "head men " objected to it, and stopped any more coming, because it prevented the single men from returning to China. The head men would not allow any more women to land. If a Chinaman sends home for a woman with the intention of marrying her on her arrival, she is allowed to come ; a married man may send home for his wife, and she is allowed to come, and to bring two or three single women with her as servants. 15. Do you think the Chinese are disposed to marry and settle in this country ? Most of the Chinese come out here under engagement to masters for three years, who pay their passages, and in return receive so much gold annually. After their time has expired, very few of them have enough left to settle with. 16. Suppose the men employed made enough money after fulfilling their contract with their masters to buy land, would they be likely to settle in the country? —It depends on their character; single men generally like to return home. 17. How much money would a Chinaman consider enough to render him independent?—A single man from £50 to £100; but a man leaving China with a little capital, does not like to return without a large fortune. 18. Mr. Harrison.] There is a large number of your countrymen in Otago at the present time. Suppose the Government sent for 200 or 300 women, would a corresponding number of Chinamen marry them and settle down ? —lf the climate suited them, they would in that case sooner settle down than return home. 19. Do your countrymen drink wine and spirits ?—Tes, but they are not drunkards. 20. Tou have been in New South Wales ? —-Tes. 21. The Chairman] Do your countrymen smoke opium in these Colonies to a greater or less extent than in China ?—They smoke less here than at home. 22. Mr. Harrison] Do you consider it the duty of a Chinaman to keep his oath, and is the form of oath they take in our Courts as binding upon them as the oath taken by Christians ? —Tes, the blowing out of a match is the same to us as kissing the Bible is with you, and we are bound to hold the oath sacred. 2