FOOD RIOTS IN CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 220, 16 September 1919, Page 5

FOOD RIOTS IN CHINA.

RICE STOKES PmLAGED. ! ■ RESENTMENT AGAIHST JAPAITESE. I BRISBANE, September 5. j Passengers by the St. Albans, which Vessel called at Brisbane to-day en routeto Sydney from the East, state that though fcod riots are of frequent occurrence in China, none has been so bitter as the disturbance which took place in July and early August. Never before, they say, was such widespread hostility shown to merchants, who i were accused of storing up rice. The rice 1 stores and rice boats were pillaged, and ; the populace showed great resentment I against the -Japanese, who were believed ' to be profiteering in the staple com- | modity. The trouble had not been overcome ; when the St. Albans left Hongkong, although the Government had reduced the price of rice and had considerably j reduced exportation. The Chinese boy- ! cott against the Japanese was being pur- f sned, and it was impossible to purchase in China articles manufactured in Japan. : The rice crops in the Straits Settlements were found to have failed, and the authorities there were importing , flour to feed the. natives, obtaining some of their supplies from Australia. j In Java, however, the situation was much hotter. This, no doubt, was due to the fact that the Dutch Government compelled sugar planters to plant rice every third year to secure food supplies for the i enormous native population. Passengers by the St. Alhans. who ! toured Java before joininc the St. Alhans at Hongkong, express the view that a great field for Australian trade is offer- j ing in Java.