"THE RISEN SUN."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 148, 25 June 1931, Page 14

"THE RISEN SUN."

CHINA'S AWAKENING.' PROGRESS OF NATIONALIST PARTY. IDEALS OF MODERN ORIENT. (By M. B. SOLJAK.) "Considering the law of survival of ncient and modern races, if we want to ave China and to preserve the Chinese ace we must certainly promote Nationalism." These are the words of Dr. Sun-yat-sen. founder of the Chinese iepublic and leader of the revolution, vhich in 1911 overthrew the effete danchu Government, and made possible ,lie realisation of the dream of 100,000,000 people. Nationalism, the deal for which men have fought and lied in past centuries in the Occident, las become the hope of the Orient; the indent civilisation of Cathay reaches rat for the goal attained by the newer rivilisations of Europe. To-day, wherever ;he almond-eyed, yellow-skinned sons of :he new republic have found a footing, i branch of the Nationalist organisation <nown as Kuomintang has been established. A free translation of this name is "National party," and it is to save the Chinese as a nation from outside political and economic pressure that thoughtful and far-seeing Chinese have striven to kindle in distant lands a spark from which the fire of patriotism may glow to cheer and encourage those engaged in preaching the new doctrine of Nationalism. Chinese Nationalism in Auckland. And so we see here in Auckland a wellorganised branch of the Kuomintang engaged in drawing into cohesion the Chinese of the older generation, not readily conversant with new ideas, with the younger, ready and eager to foster a national spirit. Above a greengrocer's shop at the corner of Pitt Street and Grey Avenue may be seen the windows of the meeting room, painted in gold on a blue ground, with the words "Kuo Min Tang, Chinese Nationalist Party," and the emblem of the republic, the risen sun. The youthful and energetic 'president, Mr. Henry Buor, who spends his working hours in selling' fruit and vegetables, and his leisure i:n furthering the cause of Chinese Nationalism, informed me that the membership numbers 186, and is steadily increasing, and that they hope to see soon the culmination of their efforts—a China free from oppression—for which all worked and gave of their substance cheerfully and willingly. Meetings are held every Sunday evening, and are invariably well attended. Mr. Buor has been busily engaged of late in introducing Mr.. Yu Chun Hsein, and acting as cicerone during the latter's brief sojourn in Auckland. Mr. Yu Chun's mission was the reorganising of established branches of the Kuomintang and the inaugurating of new branches where needed. This genial, serious-eyed young man seemed pleased with the success accorded his efforts when he smilingly bid farewell to these shores and sailed to carry the message of sympathy and good will to his countrymen elsewhere. The youthful enthusiasm of these young men of an old race is most refreshing, and impresses one as being a potent weapon with which to attack age-old burdens and grievances. Transport in China. One of the first reforms undertaken since the Revolution has been the extension of roads and railways throughout the country as a means of reaching the people in remote districts in order to spread the ideals of nationalism and progress. The necessity for this work was recognised and stressed by Sun Yat Sen early in the' struggle and" much lias already been done in opening up new avenues of transport. Though China's progress towards Westernisation may be slower and less spectacular than Japan's it is nevertheless inspiring. Her aim is not so much material advancement, but spiritual growth. Ancient national traits of calm and patient endeavour fit the modern Chinese for the task they have undertaken. "Festina iente" expresses their manner of procedure, and it seems that a foundation so well and truly laid will serve to establish a lasting reform. I The Three Principles. The Chinese have always possessed individual liberty, but this* is not now appreciated as a national ideal. What ; is really desired is expressed in Dr. Sun's j "Three Principles of the People" which he expounded in a course of lectures now collected in a book entitled "San Min Cliu I," translated by Frank W. Price, and issued under the auspices l of China Committee, Institute of-Pacific. Relations. The first principle is that of Nationalism, the compounding into a whole of the various factions of the populace, as a preliminary to advancement towards "the elevation of China to a postion of freedom and equality among the nations." The second is Democracy—an ancient ideal in China taught there long before it was dreamt of in the West — chosen now to make possible the following of the world-current, and as a speedy means of bringing about the placing of China where she should stand. The third principle is that of livelihood; this tackles the problem of the displacement of men by machines, and other modern economic factors which are troubling workers and their leaders elsewhere. The exhaustive study given to these important matters by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, and his capable handling of them in his lectures have provided for his followers a valuable means of preparation for the many difficulties which arise as the work of nationalism and securing for China a place in the sun. Inspired by this ideal China goes forward towards the new day. The father of modern/China has left a message to her people: "The world tendency of revolution, like the Yangtze River, makes many crooks and turns, sometimes to the north, sometimes to the south, hut in the end flows steadily, inexorably eastwarff—and nothing can stop it.".