NEW ZEALAND AND ASIATICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 508, 15 May 1909, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND AND ASIATICS.

; Sir,—ln your,issue of 7th instant I.note an interview i with Mr. Edward Collins, - of London, in which he gives us his views on immigration; '.defence, and; tariffs. -, I have no doubt that Mr.Collins is a very worthy, gentleman, and ono .who has possibly , given 'tneso. .subjects,a.great deal of attention,- though I must:say that his views as'given do not'carry, oonviction • on that point.: It is with, Mr. Collins's views ■ on the Chlncso and; Japanese that I 'specially join issue, and moro particularly with the following:—"What has impressed me in all tho ooloules, lias been-the strong desire t>i keep out Ohineso • and Japaiieso. Thoy will feel !this as>''direct insult to them, whilo, they admit us," • ■

Now, sir, is. It not about time that people like Mr, Collins and others \ who' 'are continually; dmnlhg this statement into' our ears, (jot (i little information* as to the terms on which ' 'they; admit us" f I : admit, sir,-, that the ~teras,.en which an Asiatic, is allowed to come into this Dominion are hard, but once he-is admitted "whatsis his/position? It is precisely that of any other man. He receives the;benefit thair every other man receives; the same protection from-tho law, and, if ho ful,fils : Wie'necessary requirements, can beco-mo a naturalised citizen,; just tho same as any other: man.; -But caii he ,do so v in ; either' China i or Japan ? Why anyone who knows anything at all about the matter knows that it is only in certain special ports that a European can.; get . into, China, and'that .clseV whs.-o his lifo is not safe.' Again, in Japan it:is a matter of common ; knowledge that a. foreigner, has no. ronie'dy in law' against a Japanoso. As to becoming ". I should think 'ihe oxporienco : of. Lafcadio rioarn; would "satisfy most men that there was not much to be gained by that, ' . No, sir, wo do not treat these peoplo worse Ijhan thoy treat us, but a great deal, bettor, and it is time that this sort of ignoranco was enlightened.;■ Perhaps tho best thing' ..would bo to get yourinterviewer to put a few, questions' to t-ho- next man who offers this sort, of nonsense, and find, out how much ho knows a,bout how ''they admit u?," Mr.; Collins's; views as to the advantages to lie gained by the wholesale admission of Chinese and Japanese would probably bo very milch■: altered by a .closer acquaintance with the 'gentlemen in question. ' At any rate, wo New . Zealanders are determined on one point, and .that is that we will keep New Zealand white- as .long as;wo are able, and that it shall only become yellow whon wo are dead.—l am, etc.,- ' .V; . v '. v E. C. TEMPI,KR. Stratford, May 11.