EAST AND WEST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 815, 12 May 1910, Page 5

EAST AND WEST.

CHRISTIANITY AND CONFUCIANISM TROUBLE IN SYDNEY. THE NEW TEACHER AND THE ~ . , IMAGE. By Teleirraph.-Prese ABsociation-Oopyriehi (Rec. May 11, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, May H. It was stated at the sitting of the Presbyterian Assembly to-day that tlie recent introduction of a Chinese teacher (Loo Yoh, a distinguished scholar in China) to Sydney had produced trouble among tho Chinese. '..' It appeared that the teacher compelled tho children to bow down each morning to an image of Confucius. Parents objected, and one of the strongest objectors was the Hev. Young Wai, a Chinese Christian minister. • . , •

As a result, the Confucians had met together in what was called a Court, had tried Young Wai, and had plotted in detail his assassination.

It was further stated that steps had been taken to protect Young Wai.

[Confucius was a Chinese philosopher, who ii-as born in 550 or 551 8.C., and died in 478 B.C. In his twenty-second year ho became a teacher, and in his fiftysecond was mado chief magistrate of the city of Chimg-ju. • He was subsequently appointed Minister of Crime by tho Marquis of Lu, but in his fifty-sixth year retired from office in consequence of the intrigues of a neighbouring prince. After thirteen years of 'travel he returned in 483 B.C. to , Lu, where he spent the rest of his life in completing _ his literary undertakings and in teaching.] CHINA'S CONSTITUTIONALISM. CAUTIOUS PROGRESS IN WAYS OF THE WEST!'" . ' .;..'.'.' Peking, May 10. An Imperial Assembly, a prelude to a Parliament and a Constitution, will Tie opened at Peking on October 3. The Throne will appoint 9t members, representing princes,- nobles, clansmen, and scholars. j_ ;

LOCAL LEGISLATURES: LIMITED FRANCHISE.

The legislative body which is to deal with the affairs of the Chinese Empire as a whole is, presumably, to start as. an Assembly nominated by the Grown, which body, if it behaves itself.-, according to,the ideas of the Court, is to evolve ultimately into an., elective constitutional body. Meanwhile the people are educated in elective methods by means of tho provincial assemblies, elected on a limited franchise, and opened .last year. The Pckiiig correspondent of "The Times" wrote:— ' ■:' ; '.

"A', study of tho reports of tho proceedings so far available of the first session of the provincial ■ assemblies supports the contention! that the throne has been justified in granting the .subjects of the Empire a limited right of speech through their chosen representatives. 'The programmes of debate have been strictly in accordanco with the imperial edict, and tho proceedings have been marked with dignity and decorum.-..The net result justifies tho declaration niado by a high authority, who has been given special opportunity of forming a judgment, that the 'members have fulfilled their appointed task of working in harmony with the executive authorities in the interests of their respective; provinces. , . •:■ '. "The franchise is a limited one. Males of not less than tvventy-five years of age aro qualified to elect , members in their own provinces if they belong to one of the following five categories:—(l) Those who have completed th'ree years' service in educational or other work conducive to the public good; (2) thbse'who havo graduated in China or abroad froni schools of a certain standing; (3) those who have certain degrees 'under the old system of examinations; (4)-civil officials of the soveitth rank and higher, and 'military' omcials of the fifth rank and higher;; (5) those who have property to the value of not less than 5000 dollars. Males of twenty-five years or over are qualified to elect members in provinces other thnn their Own, provided they havo resided there ten years, and possess • property to the value of 10,000 dollars. Opium smokers and ■ 'turbulent or ■■ law-breaking persons,' illiterates, .and -certain other categories are not allowed to vote. "Any-native .of «■ province who hns attained the age of thirty, and anyono thirty years old not a native of the province who has lived ;iu the province at least ten years is eligible for election as a member of the. Assembly,