The Chinese Question.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 850, 15 June 1888, Page 26

The Chinese Question.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, June 8.

The Earl of Carnarvon, in moving in the House o: Lords for tho production of papers in connection with the dispute of the Chinese and the Australian Governments, said the Government had acted in great haste, and the Chinese Government had reason to complain of their countrymen being prevented from landing. The question, he thought, was distinctly an Imperial one, and it would be prudent to consult China with reference to the adequate solution. Lord Knutsford has promised to produce the papers after the Chinese Conference have reported -on their deliberations. The Government, he were anxious to prevent the colonies from being swamped with Chinese, and he had suggested to the Conference measures of effective ies;rict on wl loh he believed would be beneficial and as honorable a settlement as it was possible to make. The Earl of Derby considered tho question was really one of wages, ahd it would be unwise for England to interfere, as the colonists might disregard such interference. The Earl of Kimberley said it was imperative that England should maintain the friendship of China in vievv of the critical state of Eastern affairs. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr Henniker Heaton, Baron do Worms said that Ministers had fully considered the points on which the Government desired to effectively restrict the influx of Chinese, in accoidance with the general interests of the colonies and the Empire. He declined to say anything further pending the Conference. i libNDON, June 9.

In the House of Lords, the Earl of Carnarvon condemned the detion of the New Zealand Government in quarantining Chinese ports. He urged that the Imperial delegate at the Conference should remember that China is rapidly advancing to possess a material force in colonial waters, enabling her to make her views respected. The friendship of China was well worthy of purchase at a little sacrifice, and the colonies are not Represented by a delegate. They should use great forbearance in discussing the question. While there was a great deal to be said for tho action of New'South Wales, yet it had been rendered useless and impossible, aud then they begin parleying with China. Although he regretted the stringent laws passed by New South Wales, and authorised by bis Excellency giving bis assent subject to the right to disallow it if contrary to the Treaty of Tsintsin, he hoped the Conference would discuss the question on its political and commercial s bearings. .The Earl of Derby said that practically England had no option if the legislation were vetoed and the colonists did not submit. A coolness with China may then arise, but would not, be thought, result iu a rupture. It would probably prevent traders and missionaries

from visiting the interior of China. He approved not sending a delegate, and about the merits of the colonial policy the leas said the better. The exclusion ot' Chinese from Australia and British subjects from China was the practical difficulty. The Earl of Kimberley hoped that the Australasian colonies would seriously consider the relations existing betweeu the Imperial Government and China.

The Times says to urge the Government to take a decisive action at the present time is of ihe utmost importance in the interests of India, so that she may retain her friendly relations with China. Sydney, June 12. The Chinese Conference opened today. The press were not admitted. Sir Henry Parkes was chosen President. Mr Playford, tho Premier of South Australia, gavo notice of a series of resolutions, which he thought would comprehend all the business. It is expected that the Conference will eonc'ude its sitting on Thursday. The suggestions cabled some days ago by Lord Knut&ford to the Premier of South Australia were read at the Chinese Conference to-day. They are generally disapproved as net being worthy of consideration. The most material point is that the colonies should make then- legislation against the Chinese of a similar character to that which might be made to apply to the subjects of Germany, France, or any other foreign nation visiting the colonies Mr Playford’s resolutions, of which notice was given to-day, indicate the necessity of a stringent but moderate measure to restrict the immigration of Chinese. It has been suggested by the South Australian delegates, as a basis of future discussion, that a poll-tax of L3O should be imposed, and that the tonnage allowance be increased to one Chinese for every 200 tons.

Fifty-eight. Chinese will he sent back to Hong Kong by the steamer Changsha. The men are greatly excited, and Mr Quong Tart, who has acted as mediator throughout the difficulty, is of opinion there will be trouble and possibly loss of life on the voyage back. The Chinese passengers detained on board the Changsha made a desperate attempt to obtain a landing this afternoon. After a short struggle, however, the police succeeded in quelling the disturbance.

Brisbane, June 12. Parliament opened to-day, when Mr Albert Norton was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The Premier, Sir Samuel Griffith, announced to the Houso that in consequence of the result of the recent elections ho had placed tho resignation of the Ministry in the hands of his Excellency the Governor.