THE ALIEN PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 153, 29 June 1914, Page 4

THE ALIEN PROBLEM.

There appears to be no foundation for the rumours that the Canadian Government is preparing to deport forcibly the shipload of Hindus, who are still striving to find ingress into the great Dominion. 'But it is- none the less certain that tihe Canadians will maintain unshaken the -resolute attitude they have tak-im up: and it is quite inconceivable that the 'Imperial authorities would, under any circumstances, attempt to coerce t'acm into acquiescence with a policy so clearly rc*pugnaiit to them and to the whol-e Empire. For it is now manifest; bhat on this question of Oriental immigration the oversea Dominions are absolutely at one, and that they will never spontaneously relinquish the right the}- claim to decide for themselves who shall he admittod as membore of the communiti'cs that tbey are building trp. The question is no longer a local or a colonial one; it is now involved in the most intimate way with wide and far-reaching Imperial problems which cannot be solved by forcible means. But the problem is even more comprehensive than this, for, as we have so often pointed out, it includes the question of the relations that are to subsist between the East and the West throughout the civilised world. Quite recently we have seen two of the greatest world-Powers embroiled in a dangerous dispute on this very issue; and it is now officially stated that the American and Japanese Governments have broken off negotiations on this subject, because it was felt that it was im- ! practieahle and futile to discuss it fur- ! thcr. Some way out of this deadlock I must ultimately be found. Meantime it I is some consolation to England's depen- I dencies on this side of the world to know | that public feeling throughout Austra- I lia is quite unanimous on "this question; and the people of New Zealand may rest I satisfied t/hat no government here, 'what-1 over its political colour, would venture) to run counter to our national sentiments and convictions on the subject of Oriental immigration.