A CELESTIAL INVASION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13873, 6 October 1908, Page 5

A CELESTIAL INVASION.

MORE WAITING TO COME. THE DREADED TEST. There is not the slightest doubt that Chinese arc coming into New Zealand in comparatively large numbers at the present time, and it is equally certain that the reason for this Celestial invasion is to be found in the restrictive legislation which comes into force on October 23. The average Chinese immigrant could no more pass a reading test in English than he could, translate the Iliad from the original Greek, and, therefore, he is making the most of the opportunity to get to this fertile land before he has to submit to the test. A telegram from Wellington, published yesterday, stated that 43 Chinese, including 30 newcomers, had come into the capital during the week. More Chinese are waiting in Sydney to come over, but vessels are allowed only one Chinese passenger to every 200 tons of net tonnage, so it seems probable that many of those who have left the Flowery Land, intending to become residents of New Zealand, will not get here before the new legislation comes into force. Inquiry at the Auckland Customs Department yesterday dieted the fact that, many more Chinese than usual are coming into this port. No less than 64 have come in since May last/as compared with 24 for the same months of last year. For July, August,/and September there were 24 new arrivals, paying £2400 poll tax, compared with five new arrivals for that period of 1907. These new arrivals, or each of them who can speak English, verify the statement that many more are waiting in Sydney to get over before the imposition of the reading test. Many of them will lie disappointed, and in that case will b« returned to China, for Australia will have none of them .