The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1888.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 140, 14 June 1888, Page 4

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and Echo.

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1888.

Por tho causa that lacks assistance, For the -wrong that need 3 resistance, Por tho future in tho distance, And the good that we can do.

The gathering of colonial statesmen now sitting at Sydney to discuss the Chinese question may in future years be remembered as the first breathings of a new national life for these Southern colonies. Like Tppsy, we have "growed" in a somewhat aimless fashion, so far as national aspirations are concerned- It has been shown that it required but a common danger to galvanise into life tho dormant sentiments of nationalism.

The utter incapacity of an English statesman to understand and appreciate the colonial wants is shown by

the universal disapproval of the suggestions offered for a settlement of the difficulty by Lord Knutsford. Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies is an able man, and he, no doubt, gave the matter the fullest consideration according to his light • but he has quite failed to conceive that the colonies regard the management of their internal affairs according to their own inclinations as preferable to every Imperial consideration, including the maintenance of the entente cordiale with China. Lord Knutsford had suggested "that the colonies should make thenlegislation against Chinese of a similar character to that which might be made to apply to subjects of Germany, France, or any other 'foreign nation visiting the colonies." This, of course, would be a most preposterous solution, and the assembled statesmen of Australasia decided without hesitation that the suggestion was not worthy of consideration. They might have added that it was an insult to the intelligence of the colonies on the part of Her Majesty's Minister, and a slur on the German, French, and other foreign residents, who form such a valuable integral part of the population of the colonies. Undesirable persons, whether English paupers or French criminals, the colonies certainly can proscribe, and our representatives are not now discussing as to whether or not they have the right to exclude the Chinese. They are merely considering the method of exclusion.

It has been claimed by Imperialists that the restriction of Chinese immigration is a breach of the Treaty of Tientsin. This we are inclined to b6ilisve is incorrect, as that historic document mm .ly gives British protection to Chinese residents in British dominions. Surely a poll-tax of £100 a head is sufficient protection to please the most enthusiastic philo-Chinaman. Joking apart, we think the colonies have the power of exclusion, and if they have not, it is high time the principle were grafted onto thelaws of nations. Young countries have, before to-day, taught older communities a wrinkle, but Australasia has now let slip the chance of doing the world a service by strangling a dangerous tradition of international policy. We say "let slip " as the admission of the Conference that " diplomatic action on the part of the English Government" is the best means of obtaining further restrictions on Chinese immigration j signifies the loss of a grand opportunity. i So sure as the sun shines if the matter is to be settled by English diplomatists, the colonies will not get what they require. The heroic course was the proper line of action for the Conference to adopt, and we are not a little disappointed at the turn things have taken.