CAPTAIN BUSSELL ON CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5459, 13 August 1879, Page 3

CAPTAIN BUSSELL ON CHINESE IMMIGRATION.

We have received from a correspondent who signs himself "Munch," a copy of what purports to be a verbatim report of a speech delivered in Heligoland, by a Captain Bnsaell. We hardly know what to think of it. Heligoland, our correspondent is careful to inform us, is a large province lying a little to the south of St. James'B Park, London, and is chiefly famous for wild ducks, or canards. We had no idea that its politics were so mixed. Wo print the latter portion of the speech : — " Gentlemen, an a! Lempt has been made in Viv.lot.i i: ..'. „'i.!.-.: . y by p;irtkiß intereslad, lo crr;i.i" poHtici'l '.'iipitol o'lt of my, alas ! J -'i) wi-jlj -known ruivooacy of unrestricted 0:: : *sf:-:!-, 1 uir-ii'-rn' ion ; but I will proceed to f,Vm<' yon 'th;it it is all for your own good, (llear, hear). It has been, assorted that, if Chinese immigration be not restricted, it will result in a lowering of wages. Now, gentlemen, this in itself

would be an advantage rather than otherwise — especially to the large land proprietors. (Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I could prove to you by numberless quotations from, the classics, which are familiar to me as household words, that all the great philosophers and teachers of the world have held poverty and indig-ence to be extremely favorable to philosophic reflection; and, moreover, that luxuries and enjoyments are a snare to tho mind, leading to a beet-rooted prej udice in favor of the sordid and base ; such as, for instance, decent clothes and plenty to eat and drink ; and I am sure you have all heard, in the words of the poet (not Byron this time), " sweet are the uses of adversity." (Tremendous cheering). It has also been assserted that we shall, along with Chinamen, import their diseases, viz., leprosy, elephantiasis, the three card trick, and tin whistles. Well, gentlemen, I have a ready answer to that. The three last named disorders are already acclimatised among you, and if we should introduce leprosy, I am sure tho great British nation (asido — "Tina will fetch them"), which is able to stand against a world in arms, will, with its characteristic love of fair play, put up with the leprosy also. (Tremendous aud prolonged cheering.) Besides, think of the picturesque costume of Chinamen, and what a pleasing variety they will impart to the landscape when acting aa gentle shepherds to our sheep, at a shilling a day and find themselves. (Renewed cheering.) Gentlemen, we are part and parcel of ;m empire on which. the sun never sets ; and let U3 never forgot our birthright of red white and blue, beet-root sugar, and machine-made boots. No ! let the " yellow agony" in its direst form invade us ; Aye, as free and undaunted Britishers, can stand it. (Great cheering ; hip, hip, hurrah. ! and a voice, " How about the Heretaunga block ?") I will conclude by asking you to take shares in tho new company, of which you have seen the prospectus. (Uproarious applause, amid which Oapt. Bussel resumed his seat.)