CORRESPONDENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2143, 27 July 1907, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE

THE CHINESE QUESTION. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Under tho above heading in to-day’s issue of the Times there appears a fairly long letter by tho genial Dr. Collins, and it is pleasing to noto that he still appears as an educator of the stupid people of this colony. Therefore, Sir, I would beg you to allow mo a little space in your valuable columns in reply. After carefully reading Dr. Collins’ letter 1 am almost induced to believe that he holds a brief for tho Ward Government, and I think most sensible people will be of tho same opinion. Dr. Collins is trying to do what no other musician has ever succeeded in doing, namely, to play on ono string, i.c., the “Act of Constitution” ; and, Sir, lie has allowed,his mind to dwell on tips Act so long and seriously that it has increased in magnitude to such an extent that it now appears on his horizon to be far greater than the magnitude of that majestic jiile, Mt Cooke; or, in other words, Sir, it seems to appear to the worthy doctor tl,iat it would take as much time to gjt the Imperial Government to alter or amend this particular clause in the. Act of Constitution, and almost longer, as it would, take a couple of mot to remove Mt. Cooke. Sir, 1 take it that for a colony to enjoy Responsible Government —that is, government of the people, by the people, for the people—means working out its own destiny in the best interests of tho community as a whole. Anything that may have a detrimental tendency, which might weigh down, or impoverish, or demoralise, or—which would bo more serious—degenerate our race, should be capable of removal, and I say unhesitatingly that any good Government, if it has tho interest of its people at •heart, should ..rise to the occasion and p it its foot down firmly, and demand of the Imperial Government an amendment of such an iniquitous Act, and further that a Government that w.U not do so is not a true reflex of the people. With the advent of the Chinese comes the above three festering sores, and I feel sure General Botha had these thoughts running thiGugli his mind when he said, “The las - , Chinaman must go.” It is an old and true saying that the last straw will break the camel’s back; let us take warning before that last straw is laid on. Dr. Collins has a good idea of the hordes of Chinese who now inhabit the Northern Territorv. which is well worthy of being called tlie “Chinese Northern Territory.” It is all nonsense to talk about restrictive legislation. If tho people of these colonies are true to themselves, true to their children, end true to the generations which are to come after them, and true to the British nation, they will voice with one voice that nothing short of prohibitive legislation will settle the Chinese question. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, yours, etc., P. DALLEY. Gisborne, July 26.