LAW FOR CHINESE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 117, 12 February 1944, Page 5

LAW FOR CHINESE

Trenchant Criticism In Presbytery Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, February 10. Trenchant criticism of the treatment of Chinese nationals under .the present immigration laws, with particular reference to the case of Ng Kong, a Chinese seaman who was sentenced to six months imprisonment by Mr. Levvey, S.M., tor entering New Zealand without a permit, was voiced by the Rev. .I'. W. Winton at a meeting of the Christchurch 1 resbytCMr. Winton emphasized that be was not criticizing the magistrate, the police, or the Customs officials. They were there to administer the law. It was the law itself he was criticizing. . This young Chinese, said Mr. Winton, was a member of the Presbyterian Church and belonged to a church in New York “He had the misfortune to lose all his relatives in.a bombing raid ou Canton. He joined a ship, and when he came to New Zealand he, wished to see bis only remaining relative, a cousin m Dunedin. Through a lack of knowledge of the laws of the country he had gone to Dunedin and had subsequently missed his ship. The fact that he gave himself up when he missed his ship, showed, that there was no intent to commit a crime, said Mr. Winton. As a result, said Mr. Winton, he was charged under the immigration laws of the country, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He had been asked by the Very Rev. G. H. McNeur, a retired missionary from Cuina, ■ to bring the case before the presbytery. . Mr. Wiuton said that he had been iu touch with the agents for the vessel concerned, and they had informed him that they had to put up £2OO for Ng. They said that it might be some time before another ship entered port which could take Ng. Even then it would have to be a Cantonese crew, An endeavour to raise the money so that Ng could be released was being made by Mr. McNeur, but even if the money were raised it was doubtful whether Ng would be released. “If it had not been for China, per'haps our own women would have been bombed, and yet an ally is treated like this. On the other hand, we. have refugees from any other country in New Zealand just liecause they are white, but we will not have a man from an Allied country with us. If we are.goiug to support the Atlantic Charter, it is time the Church saw that there was no differentiation between races. It is important that the Church sees that something is done,” said Sir. Winton. “The whole question concerns not only this man. but the general treatment pf Chinese nationals,” said Mr. Wiuton in moving that the question of the treatment, of Chinese nationals under the immigratipn laws be investigated, v’ith particular reference to the case of Ng Kong. , Mr. Win ton added that he understood that they could apply to the magistrate for a rehearing, and he was quite prepared to take this course. The Rev. T. W. Armour: The magistrate has got to follow the legal procedure without animus toward Chinese or anybody else. .... .J Str. Winton: I am not criticizing the magistrate. I have made that quite clear. But I am criticizing the law Sir. Armour: I hope what has.been said here will not go out as the considered opinion of presbytery. After the discussion, Sir. Armour said that he hoped thaCthe discussion would be treated as though it bad been taken in private. He moved a motion in this direction, but failed to find a seconder. Mr. SVintou’s motion was carried ami was referred to the Public Questions Committee for report at the next sitting of presbytery.