DISPUTE OVER CHINESE FLAGS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 17, 14 October 1927, Page 18

DISPUTE OVER CHINESE FLAGS

CELEBRATION COMMITTEE EXPLAINS. (To the Editor.) The secretary of the Celebration Committee of the Wellington Chinese Association (Mr. T. B. Young) writes as follows in connection with the paragraph published concerning the difference of opinion among Chinese residents as to which flag should be flown at their annual sports meeting last Monday to commemorate the foundation of the Chinese Republic:— “The article referred to contains several statements which, with all duo respect, misrepresent the true position of affairs, and we now desire through your columns to place the true facts on record. “Some time ago a committee representative of all tho Chinese residents in Wellington was set up for the purpose of arranging the celebrations to be held on the anniversary day commemorating the founding of the Chinese Republic. This committee was a thoroughly representative one of our Chinese community, and unanimously resolved at different meetings held by it to fly the National Standard at tho combined sports which were to have been held on Monday last. No objection was taken to this course by any of our countrymen until late on Sunday night, when a few of our countrymen endeavoured to have the resolution wo had passed rescinded. These dissentients, however, were hopelessly out-voted, and it was decided that the former resolution should stand, and the Nationalists’ banner should be flown. It was unfortunate that those in the minority should have decided to remain firm, and that they should have threatened to disturb any proceedings which might be held by us at Athletic Park. In view of this decision on their part we had no other course open to us but to cancel the arrangements we had made to hold our gathering at Athletic Park, and an emergency committee which was set up decided to change the scene of our gathering from Athletic Park to Hutt Park. This action was merely an act of grace on our part, and the decision was made merely to avoid anything in the nature of a disturbance.

Our gathering proved to be a most successful one, and several hundred people assembled at the Hutt Park to take part in our celebrations. A large number of European visitors were present, and participated in one or two of the sports events; a Soccer match with a visiting Auckland eleven was played, resulting in a win for Auckland; a big athletic programme was completed, and altogether a most enjoyable day was spent. Statements made that some forty or titty Chinese residents in Wellington support the Nationalists’ party, the Kuo Ming Tang, and swear allegiance to the revolutionists in China is misleading in as much .as 90 per cent, of tho local Chinese residents are supporters of the Nationalists’ party. The majority of the Chinese residents in Wellington 'are supporters of tho Southern Government, and, being free thinkers, claim the right to support tho Government of their choice. The fact that there were about forty or fifty people present at Athletic Park,’ whereas there were several hundred present at our gathering surelv speaks for itself, aud this wo think is indicative of the popular feeling amongst the Chinese community of Wellington. Wo may state that wo are not all members of tho Kuo Ming Tang, but apart altogether from the merits it is only natural that we, being of Southern China, should bo in sympathy with tho Nationalists’ Government. ’ There was nothing in tho nature of a disturbance at our gathering at the Hutt Park, and we know of nothing in our behaviour on that occasion that could be termed offensive or insulting. It is with deep regret, Sir, that we have decided to place these facts before you, but we can assure you that 90 per cent, of the Chinese community in Wellington will thank you for conveying to your readers the fact that the Wellington Chinese Association’s sports meeting held at the Hutt Park on Monday last was a very successful one." .