The Hawera Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1926 ASIATIC IMMIGRATION

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 April 1926, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1926 ASIATIC IMMIGRATION

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock in Hawera, Mbnaia, Norman'by, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara,»Ohangai, Mereniere. Fraser Road and Ararata.

The Canterbury Fruitgrowers’ Association is the latest active recruit to the "white New Zealand" movement, having resolved to urge the Government that all Asiatics be debarred from coming into the Dominion for ten years. The idea behind the ten years, apparently, is that total exclusion may be found piaeticablc at the close of this term. Since growers have a natural interest in the marketing of their fruit by rota iers, it is easy to understand what has prompted the present action; but it is far from easy to see how the Government could comply with the request without running the risk of grave Imperial and international complications. It is when such problems as this present themselves that membership in a cosmopolitan Empire begins to assume

responsibilities to offset its privileges. While New Zealand might initiate restrictive legislation of the class proposed, it is doubtful if she could carry it into law without referring it to Downing Street.: That is, the Act would have to be reserved for royal assent, which rnigiit not be forthcoming. For, although '.he power of the Crown to an- . mil decisions c.f the British Parliament has not been exercised for two hundred years, derisions of colonial legislatures may be —and have been--vetoed on the grounds of Imperial expediency. No country can close its doors on the nationals of another without inviting retaliatory measures; and -while, except for missionary enterprise, New. Zealand might not be put about greatly by exclusion from China, other parts of the Empire would. Thus action by New Zealand against the admission of Chinese’ might prejudice the interests of sister Dominions or of the Motherland, and would not be regarded, favourably in London. It is true that a measure of restriction is in force now—so far as the poll tax may be held to accomplish its purpose—but between restriction and total prohibition there is all the difference in the world. Where restriction merely annoys a foreign people, total exclusion may insult. It so happens, however, that the most difficult aspect of this Asiatic "problem” has no connection with China, but a very intimate bearing upon the unity of the Empire. For the Canterbury fruitgrowers’ objection extends also to Indians; and Indians are fellow-subjects of ours in the British Commonwealth of Nations. No New Zealander wishes to see „ this country over-run by cheap black labour; on the other hand, most New Zealanders feel pride in the Empire on which the sun never sets—and the two views take some reconciling. It is necessary at the outset' to rid our minds of the idea, that we, as whites,have a right to dictate to the Indians, as blacks. The fellowship of the British Empire recognises neither colour nor creed. The moment this or any other British country bars its door to the entry of Indian nationals, it is violating the cardinal principle of Empire citizenship, which is equality before the law. It would lie a mistake to imagine that India wishes to flood New Zealand or Australia. She might be opposed to allowing her ..people to emigrate; but, even if she were, it would be none the less an insult to her pride to say that they should not enter our country. I’ we wish tc- remain within the Empire, we must be prepared to accept the Empire horizon, which is world wide. "I fight the cause of my country, ’ ’ said Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru when this question of the status of Indians was before the Imperial Conference in 1923. "But I fight as a subject of King George, I fight for a place in his household —and I will not be content with a place in his stables.” Then, developing his appeal, the Indian delegate continued: — The problem of Indians overseas is of vital importance, not only to India, but to the whole of the. Empire. . . . We attach far more importance to the'-honour of our nationals in other parts of the Empire than probably you realise. ..We express, that feeling in the vernacular of our own country by a comprehensive and delicate phrase—"lzzat.” There is not a among- -the princes cr among til's humblest servants of his Majesty, who tides not atta.cn great importance to that question of izzatt. When izzatt (which means honour) is at st ike" we prefer death to anything else. 'lhat is our sentiment. We Britishers, with whom honour is so cherished a possession, ought to be ,able to appreciate the Indian point of view in .this matter. It is a tribute to the ancient, civilisation and culture of the East, that Indian statesmen appreciate our position. They realise the economic danger to European of living of a large influx of cheap, coolie labour. What is more, they are actively discouraging any such movement. ‘ ‘ Let there be no misgiving about the question of immigration,” said Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru later in the speech from which we have quoted. "There is a growing sentiment in my country that wo should not send our nationals outside, anywhere. We do not want our nation outside India to appear as a nation of coolies. We have had enough of that. There is plenty of scope for the conservation of the energy of my countrymen in my own country., We want them to rise to the full height of their stature in our own country. The Dominions, therefore, need have no fear on that account.”

It should be added that India’s complaint is not with New for this country has so far .net her in a spirit of cordial friendship. But complaint would very soon be made against the Dominion if the Canterbury fruitgrowers had their way. 11 is unthinkable that the Government would take any action to provoke a breach with India. But, at the same time, the standard of living of white British communities must be safeguarded; and every Dominion Government is charged with the duty of formulating a definite policy to cover the question of British Asiatic immigration. New Zealand has no such policy; it might reassure others than the fruitgrowers if she had.