TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 127, 30 May 1914, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY

"A Chinaman can, when necessary, reduce his wants almost The Menace to nothing, can do with of the almost any food, almost Coloured Man. any shelter, and without furniture or many other things which to the white man are necessities. _ So that to the Anglo-Saxons of the Pacific their avowed policy of Asiatic exclusion is not one of racial like or dislike, but an economic ohe of Belf« preservation, pure and simple," writes Major Stewart Murray in the April issue of the Nineteenth Century. Wellington people know th.c truth of those words, and they know, too, on, tho authority of the Chief City Inspector, that the Hindu hawkers can live a very simple life, with fruit-cases a« the main furniture. At Lawrence, on Thursday night, the Hon. James Allen was properly applauded for these words :— "The Australian aoid New Zealand policy was that white men in New Zealand should not be subjected to conipo tition which was not fair competition for them to meet, and it was possible— he did n6t say it was probable— that h&« tions might come down to New Zealand whose methods of living were not the methods under which our people lived, and who could compete, and compete unfavourably) with our workmen. Our policy was to keep these men outside- of our shores." Smsi men have been coming easily' to "oiu- shores" ever eince Parliament went into recess, and they were coming while Parliament wa^ sitting. Tho Government was plainly reminded then about the urgent need of action, and several Ministers acArtitted that New Zealand could not afford a continuance of the open-door for dark British citizens from India— that coloured "citizenship" which presents a problem to the white racebut nothing was done. The Premier has promised a measure for next session, and he should begin early to prove that tho "white New Zealand" policy is something better than a humbugging political phrase. Loyalty to the King and devotion to ordinary workaday The King duty have been curand the ioitsly mixed in the School Children, authorities controlling some of the Wellington public schools. They were in a puzzling predicament, with a week's holiday ending to-day and the King's Birthday due on Wednesday. Distracted between the desire to properly recognise and honour the anniversary and the wish to have the school work resumed smoothly as soon as possible, they adopted the politicians' favourite ruse, the compromise. The youngsters arc to have Monday for play, in deference to iiis Majesty,and on Tuesday the serious business will be started, with no break on Wednesday. Gentle voices may sing, perhaps, "God Sa.ve the King," and they may &alute the Hag, but they will not see the martial show on the green of Ncwtown "fark. They have been told that Wednesday will bring the greatest military parade of Wellington's history, but, unless the authorities relent, the boys and girls will be denied a, glimpse of the splendid spectacle. It may be their fate to be immersed in the rivers of Europe and the Beas of Asia when the bright lines of trained youth and manhood wheel on the field. Exile for children from such a thrilling scehc is surely a queer answer to all tho brave words of politicians, who have spoken much about the inspiring effect of a, good parade. This meeting of the Territorials is one of their exercises^ to count duly in the annuallist, but it is desirable to ensure a maximum of good influence on the public. Common-sense suggests that the most impressionable part ot the public— the young prospective citizens— should be allowed to see the manoeuvres at the Park.