THE ANTI-CHINESE LEAGUE.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 56, 3 September 1895, Page 3

THE ANTI-CHINESE LEAGUE.

♦ TO THE KDITOR. S»r— How amusing and entertaining these Anti-Chinese League meetings are becoming, and how oertain memborß of the said League fuss and fume when they become aware how Bmall an interest the general public takes in the matter ! At the meeting of the fruit and vegetable dealers held in the Exchange Hall last night, Mr. J. F. Meroier became quite exasperated, and told the meeting that if they did not band together to deal with the farmers they (the members of the League) would start co-operative stores, not only in opposition to the Chinese, but also to the European shopkeepers. I only hope Mr. Meroier and other members will be driven to that course, as to my mind opposition is the life of trade. - Sir, the said members may fuss and fume and call meetings and solioit this person and that person to become Fatton, and may start a market garden, or even opposition stores (if they have the courage to do the latter), and then the majority of the working classes, yea, and also of the well-to-do class, will still buy their fruit and vegetables from the Chinese. I am glad to see that the Premier refused to become Patron, and I regret that Sir Robert Stout should lend his honoured name to such a selfish, jealous, narrow-minded sot. At a meeting of the League held the same night it was suggested that the fruiterers be allowed to place in their window a oard bearing the words " Patronisod by the Anti-Chinese League." I would warn all fruiterers or other persons to be careful how they act upon that suggestion, for to be forewarned is to be forearmed, for as the League is doing all in its power to boycott the Chinese, ao will the majority of the working class boycott the members of the League. Sir, I am surprised to see by the papers Dr. Newman addressing the pnblio at tho Lowor Hutt on behalf of this Anti-Chinese League. All I can say is that I am mistaken as to the Doctor's views, as I understood he was an out-and-out Freetrader, also a true Blue. There is only one remark that was made at the meeting cf the League that in any way meets with my views, and that, was a remark made by Mr. J. P. Meroier, aT>out the .6100 poll-tax. If it is against the wishes of the majority of the people that the Chinese are allowed to enter New Zealand in large numbers, then by all means raise the poll-tax ; but in all love, in the name of humanity, and in true British spirit, let us do unto those who are in our midst (who have already paid to enter New Zealand) as we would they Bhould do unto us. Fair play is bonnie play. If the Chinese sell cheap, and their artioles are good, Bhow your grit and go in and sell cheaper, and I guarantee you will not lack cnstomera. J am, &a., Obsbrykb. Petone, 29th August.