CHINA AND JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 236, 3 October 1894, Page 8

CHINA AND JAPAN.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—A week or two ago I had the pleasure of listening to a lecture on Japan by an Auckland gentleman who had lately paid a visit to that .moßb interesting country. I waa also glad,- from a trip made bynoyselr many' years ago, to corroborate the lecturer's etatementa regarding the customs and general characteristics of the Japanese. Ho spoke Biota: especially of their hpagitj»lity and courtesy to atrangere, cjualitios of Which I still bheriah 'very pleifaing rernouabrances. In doing so, the lecturer made comparisons in thiß respect between the Japanese and Chinese, much to tug disadvantage of tho Chinoee, whom ho accused not only of want of courtesy, but of the übo of such epithets as "foreign devils," which are freely hurled at the heads of the strangers within thoir gates. Now, sir, I do nob wish to state that tho lecturer moant to prejudice ua against tuo Chinese, but cortainiy hia statements are capable of such construction. Ho forgot to toll his audience that China has strong reasons for not cherishing the kindliest of feelings towards at least one section of tho strangers who visit her shore. The memory of the opium trade thrust upon her by a Bible-reading, British people is not. yet entirely effaced, and until it is, together with tho memory of sundry other indignities heaped upon the hoads and tails of the unfortunate " Chinky," both at home and abroad, until it is, wo can hardly expect the Chinese " man in the sUoet" to receive us graciously and love ua freely ! Imagine, sir, Tin Tack from Auckland, or Ah Fat •from Sydney, lecturing ,in Pekin on 11 British Courtesy in tho . Australasian Colonies, Illustrated by lhuoHghf viewe." Such views as Chinamen goiug through the streets of Sydney, aa 1 have seen them, hooted and stoned for the serious crime pt emigrating to better their condition ! Such views as Chinamen's houseß- even in enlightened Auckland, with windows covered with wire-netting to protect them against tho Christian courtesy of civilised, educated youths in tho Britain of tho South ! To see ourselves as others see .us is just as becoming in a nation -as it is an individual, and my object in writing is that we jany as a people indulge in a little wholesome introspection, and above all things observe both id our words and actions » strict neutrality in tho appalling struggle now going on between tho two nations—a struggle that, I

believe, air, is instigated on both sides by interested emissaries of those greab western nations, whose avowed mission ia to preach " Peace on earth good-will to men !"—I am, etc., Devonport.