ASIATIC EXCLUSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6491, 10 April 1908, Page 6

ASIATIC EXCLUSION

GENERAL ADOPTION OP NATAL ACT URGED.

WARNING BY MR LYTTELTON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 8. Presiding at a meeting of the colonial section of the Society of Arts, at which a number of representative Australians were present, Mr Richard Jobb read a paper advocating the general adoption of the Natal (Alien Exclusion) Act in the self-governing colonies.

Mr Alfred Lyttelton (ex-Seoretary of State for tho Colonies) agreed that Mr Jebb’s conclusion that the selfgoverning colonies were irrevocably determined not to admit effective competition from Asiatics was substantially true, but proceeded to utter • a grave warning. “We must be. prepared for the consequences,” ho remarked, “ when we consider what a tremendous thing it would be for the Elmpire if all the races of India united against the pretensions of the Western nations, who practically demand a monopoly for Western people in the lands of Westerns, and their free oompetitiou on terms of absolute equality with Eastern peoples.” Though the colonies might he able to maintain that position for twenty or twenty-five years, he was doubtful whether Britain would -be able to support them indefinitely in a policy of Asiatic- exclusion. He described as pregnant Mr Jehh’s suggestion that India might be compensated with fiscal freedom. Lord Ampthill (a former Governor of Madras and temporary Viceroy of India) urged the need for an Imperial Conference on the whole subject.

MR LYTTELTON EXPLAINS,

CAN THE POSITION BE MAINTAINED?

(Received April 9, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 9,

In a letter to “The Times,” Mr Lyttelton explains that in his speech yesterday he intended to convey a doubt, not whether the self-governing colonies specially, but the Western world, could permanently maintain a position of monopoly for themselves in the ■ West, and equal and free competition in the East..