SIR HIRAM MAZIM ON THE CHINAMAN

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1683, 1 June 1904, Page 18

SIR HIRAM MAZIM ON THE CHINAMAN

In a letter to the “Daily Mail” Sir Hiram Maxim pronounces the following eulogy on tlie Chinaman : The Chinaman is the most skilful agriculturist that the world has ever known ; he can get more than twice as much out of the soil as any white man that ever lived; he works more hours in the day and more days in the year than anyone living. He is tlie most peaceful and law-abiding man to be found in any country in the world, but, curiously enough, the rery things which arc considered virtues in the white man are considered vices in the Chinaman.

In tile United States of America it lias been pointed out time and again by Chinese officials and writers that the Chinese in tlie United States of America are the most peaceful and law-abiding of foreigners to be found in the country. The people who were instrumental in his expulsion were not. even honest enough to tell the truth : they pretended that the Chinaman Avas excluded on account of Iris vices, but as lie had no trace of Avhat would be considered a vice in a Avhite man, a general assortment of unspeakable A'ices Avere manufactured for the occasion, his persecutors evidently believing that tlie end justified the means.

I am strongly of the opinion that if tlie best, most peaceful; and law-abiding working man that the world has ever known is onco introduced into Africa and his excellent qualities understood and realised he will be appreciated; Africa will manage somehow or other to profit by his matchless skill and industry, and the Chinaman will eventually become a fixture in South Africa.

Perhaps there is no country in the world where he would doi so- riiueh g.ood; what'a shame, then, that, we are net brave and truthful enough to treat him like a man instead of like a dangerous wild beast!