TRADE WITH CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 1

TRADE WITH CHINA

POLL TAX AN OBSTACLE. “DISGRACEFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY.” [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 19,

Speaking at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday, Mr Li Kwang Heng, Chinese Consul, said that friendly relations with and) good-will towards China were necessary in countries which wished ki have successful commercial dealings with that great country. Friendly relationship was the forerunner of commerce. Great Britain and America were doing an immense trade with China, chiefly because of the friendly feeling between them, and China. Previous speakers had mentioned the subject of taxation. ITc was going to refer to a tax which no member of the chamber stood in any danger of having to pay. He honed the audience would pardon him when he said that the obstacle to commerce between New Zealand and China was the retention of the poll tax of £IOO imposed on Chinese immigrants. Such a disgraceful and discriminatory tax aroused a bitter feeling, especially among the educated Chinese; but ao long as the Chinese were singled out in this fashion friendly relations of New Zealand with China would be prejudiced. He sincerely hoped the tax would be removed.