EXCLUSION OF ASIATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 127, 29 May 1914, Page 4

EXCLUSION OF ASIATICS.

It has fallen to the lot of Canada to be tup first of the Dominions to have her anti-Aeiatic la-we diTftctly challenged and submitted 10 a severe practical test: and it. if. gratifying ;,r> obaprvn that e-lic rir*eii to the occac.;i>a ami is boldly and unflinchingly maintaining her rigtii to determine the race and character of those who shall bo a.Hosvod to ?ntcr her vast, iterritory. Canada ha? on her Statute Book law enabling the Government at any time to prohibit -Asiatics -nr certain c!a*=>ses of workmc-n from entering ahe Dominion. A native organisation in British India, resolved to contvst this law. and dispatched a chip-load of Hindus, claiming trrat a.i British subjects those had a right to land and la/ke up their residence in Canada, The Dominion Cr-ove.rmm'nt at once iesued an Order-in-Couneil. doting the country for tire next t=.x months against AeuUio immigrants, and also against artisans of any nationality—the result 'being "that n"t even the leader of the Hindus has been allowed to land, ami ho hat. thus bern debarred fro-m raining the question in the Dominion Court*. As this Hindu movement has 'wealth !>ehind it. means -will probably be found of resting the validity of the Canadian la we in the highest court, of the Empire. Tbe situation that has arisen is of direct importance to us in New Zealand, and our public men will do well to clci-ely watch developments. It ie not unlikvly that the Act-ing of the door by Cxnada. may turn the tide, of Hindu migration in our direction; and in the meantime presuming that these Hindus are English-speaking, out law 3 could not. prevent thc;r landing hfre. The Pretnier ha? promised to introduce amending legitOatrm on t hip- su-bjeet during the .-oming session of Parliame™i : it will not be a moment 100 coon. The stand taken by Canada is inrportant. in that the absolute right of the Doinimon is araerted to regulate the admission of rmmigra-nts of any race or nationality whatever. This strikes at the claim of British citizen-hip that '.i put forward by certain classes of Asiatics, including ChinT«e from llong Kong, •md asserts 'the right to deal as summarily with British eit-izons a* with ; iliew. If Canada's right to do this is vindicated. Ihe situa-tion will 'be made much dearer for us here. Such a decision would have, a mollifying effvv: on the Japanese, who keenly recent exclusion on the sole ground of race and wlio virtually ask—"'What is the value of the British Alliance, it" we are looked on a* an inferior race and denied entrance to British countries?" The palpublc reply would \«? ihat if vrc exclude our Asiatic frllow-mi.bjcct.s. we .-.amm! ■bo accused of 'treating our allies with exceptional har*hnesi<. China and .lapan foT centuries miintained a poVicy of strict exclusion of Europeans. The I policy wars a wine one. and the British i Dominions are aW> wise, in seeking to enforce a sJmilar policy. As Asiatic cou.nt.ries havp seen "fit. whet-her luider J persuasion or pemi-eompuleion, to mo.lify Iheir laws in wrnic drgree. our laws «hould tie so framed a« to admit a .-■rt.lin proportion- of merchants. Ftu- • dents and travellers of Asiatic race. : Tiifre is scope for ir;endlv reciprocity iin this ro-prot. which should -obviate any | feeling of irritation; Vint. :n any caee, I there can be no retreating from the ! position that our racial purity, our economic our laws and instiI tutions, our social and religious usages must be protected and maintained at whatever cost.