ANTI-CHINESE LEAGUE.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 40, 15 August 1895, Page 2

ANTI-CHINESE LEAGUE.

A mooting of the Anti-Chinesa League was held in the Exchange Buildings last evening, Mr. Allan Ward in the chair. The Secretary (Mr. Allan Orr) submitted a balance-sheet, showing that* up to date £0 7a had boen oollected for tho expenses of the recent public meeting, and there was a deficiency of 18a. It was explained that amounts promised would be Buffloient to moet tho deficit. On the motion of Mr. J. M. Walter, seconded by Mr. R. P. Flanagan, the balance-sheet was adopted. Mr. \V. Murdoch explained that owing to the illness of ono ot the membors of the committee set up to preparo suggestions regarding tho establishment of a market garden, they hud not yet been ablo to hold a meeting. Tho Chairman Btatod that the Premier had been asked to become Patron of the League, but had not yet sent a reply to the request. it was decided to defer the eleotion of Patron, President, and Vice-Prosidentß until next meeting. Mr. Allan Ward was elected Chairman, and in returning thanks said that he would do his very best to advanoo tho interests of the League. Mr. Allan Orr declined, owing to private business engagements, to continue in the office of Secretary, bnt after some persnasion ho consented to aot for a short time. Wra. Taßker was appointed Treasurer. Tho following were elected a committee — Mesdames Livermore, Player, Forbes, Kimboll, and Schoch, Miss Lee, Messrs. Hislop, A. Collins, J. Glover, J. F. Mercier, D. P. Fisher, and W. Jones. lieferenco was made to the proposal of Councillor Tatuin that a Chinese quarter should bo established in the city. The Chairman approved of the proposal. Ho felt certain that if the Chinese were compelled to live by thomselres no respectable European would visit their quarter of the oity. Mrs. Tasker proposed that the League Bhould endorse Councillor Tatnm's proposal, and urg6 the City Council to agree to it. Mr. G. Pound seconded the motion. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh said the League would make itself look ridiculous by passing the motion. The League must deal with Chinese in a common sense manner. Ho doubted whether there was power to locate tho Chinese as proposed. Mr. R. P. Flanagan thought tho authorities had ample power to oompel the Chinese to lire in ono part of tho city. In Melbourne, San Francisco, and other large cities there was a Chinese quarter, and the example oould very well be followed in Wellington. It wonH be to the interest of tho proporty-owners to?o3tablish a Chinese quarter hero, as it was well known that rents came down iv thoroughfares where Chinese wore now in business. Mr. J. M. Walter approvod of Councillor Tatnm's proposal. It was absurd to argue that the Counoil could not get power to compel the Chinese to live by themselves. Mr. W. Murdoch eaid that the City Council had no power to compel the Chinese to shift their present quarters and live in ono part of the city. Tho Legislature could, however, pass a law in that direction. The Chairman suggested that all shops should be licensed annually, and any undoBirable applicants could bo refused a license. Mr. A. Collins also thought that it was not in the power of the City Counoil to make the Chinese live by themselves. He took it that there was already a Chinese quarter in Haining - street. He regretted that tho present meeting was not attended by any tradesmen. If shopkeepora did not show an interest in tho nwtter they conld not expect the League to take npon itself the whole responsibility of supporting Councillor Tatum s motion. Mr. Norwell suggested that the City Council should be urged not to issue licenses to Chinese to hawk vegotableß. If the Counoil did that there would be found plenty of Europeans willing to take tho places of the Chinese. Mr. A. R. Hislop took it that it was not tha business of tho I.aague just at present to dooido whether the Counoil had the power to establish a Chinoso quarter. The League should pass Mrs. Tasker's motion, and leave it to the Connoil to decide whether it had the requisite power. Mr. W. T. Hildreth said that the League should aot in apraotical manner. He felt sure that if it was decided to ostablish a Chinese quarter there would be a great outcry on the part of the owners of property in whatever part of tho oity it was decided the Chinese should be located. Tho League should content itself with moral suasion in dealing with the Chinese qneation. Mr. Turwhitt Jones argued that if a Chinese quarter were established the League would be acknowledging the presence of the Chinese. Moral suasion and the Undesirable Immigrants Bill wonld, he thought, ba Buffi, oiont to deal with the Chinese question Mr. K. P. Flanagan said that the quiokest way to diminish the number of Chinese residents was to establish a Chinese qnarter. If the Chinese were compelled to live by themselves the number of their customers would fall off considerably, and many of the Chinese would soon olear out of the oity. Mossrß. T. H. Hogg and J. F. Meroier supported the motion. Mrs. Tasker said that Bhe did not wish it to be understood that she desired to see tho Chinese hounded out of the town. Her view was that tho Chinese now hero should be fairly treated. The motion was then put and carried. The Chairman stated that a European was willing to fit np a shop in Cuba-street for the sale of fruit and vegetables, provided he was guaranteed the support of the members of tho League. It was deoided to defer consideration of the question of a shop. Votes of thanks having been passed to the Seoretary and the late Committee, the meeting terminated.