A PLEA FOR THE CHINESE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10240, 1 September 1909, Page 2

A PLEA FOR THE CHINESE.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, August 31. Speaking at the banquet given in his honor last night, the Chinese Consul (Mr' Yung Liang Hwang) had some interesting remarks to mate. He did not know the meaning of the words, "Yellow peril." There would never be anything to fear from China. All she wanted was fair play. China had no aggressive ideas, and no desire to seize what was the bread and butter of other nations. Did the cry of a yellow peril mean peril commercially? He did not think so. As long as tfie Chinese merchants remained true to their traditions of honesty, impartiality, friendliness, and generousness she would never be a trouble to the world in this respect. The term "Yellow peril" was one which he regarded as very China was a moral country, and its motto was "A Country of Purity.' In regard to what had been said about the cost of living amongst the Chinese, lie would remind them that as their civilisation advanced so the cost of living would advance. China was making many mistakes, but she was gradually working her way through. The people of China were at all times loyal and honest. The Chinese in New Zealand were obedient to what the Mother Country had -taught them —to be peaceful, honest, industrious, humble, and kind. That was what they were taught to do. They did not contribute to the Mother Country as far as money was concerned, but they had that good sense of loyalty, and so it was through all parts of the world. The Chinese had I proved that there was nothing to fear in this cry of a yellow peril. While in the Dominion he had made close study of the conditions here. He admitted that the Chinese were living cheaper here —not in their foodstuffs, but in their style. They had not much furniture in their homes, but that was because most of them had not their families here. Some said they earned too much and took away business from the European. That was an unreasonable fear, for the accounts they kept proved it. He wanted to be forgiven if he made an unpleasant remark, but he would like to refer to the laundry question. It was stated that they were going to drive out the English laundrymen. How could this be when the Chinese seldom worked in groups of more than four? They never solicited business. Their laundry work was chiefly confined to the ironing of cuffs and collars. They had no steam works. They did not send out for work. They had no telephones, and did not canvass or solicit the work as tlie_European did, and when they came into the country they were called on .to pay what was to them the tremendous sum of £IOO. On the other hand, he was grateful to know that there were some men and women who voiced the cause of righteousness and justice. In China they did not listen to the voice of the ignorant, the jealous, and the unjust: He personally loved freedom, and he could tell them that, so far as China was concerned, they would never listen to what was unreasonable. The Chinese quite knew their own position and their own strength, but they did not look for the settlement of difficulties in any but a peaceful and just way. They had no wish to be humiliated, however, and they only asked the kindness and courtesy they were extending to others, and if the western countries were going to live up to their glorious traditions they would give them that. generous consideration. —(Applause.)