THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8210, 15 June 1888, Page 2

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

;By KlboteicTele&rai'h.—Copykight.] (Per Pkess Association.) \ the conference; London, June 14, (Becelved June 14, at 3.10 p.m.) ,' Sir Graham Berry has seen Lord Knutsford with reference to certain questions submitted to him by the Chine3e Conference. Lord Knutsford said replies would be sent confidentially by cable. ": : Sydney:, June 14. '.'" (Received June H, at 2 p.m.) The conference are indisposed to increase the tonnage, which should be sufficient restriction. (Eeceived June 15, at LBS a.m.) , The following: is in effect, the replies cabled by Lord Knutsford to certain questions; asked, by the Chinese Conference:—;Xhe Inn perial Government are anxious to meet the views of Australia, bat the measure passed by the New South Wales Legislature placed obitacles in the way of negotiating with China, and it wai important to ascertain if other arrangements can be made more iv accordance with the views of China. The Chinese Government object particularly to. Chinese emigrants being placed on a different footing to j those belonging to other nations, but if they are .placed on an equal footing the Chinese Government might be willing to accept conditions similar to those under the treaty recently concluded with the United States. It must, however, be distinctly understood that while the Imperial Government are.prepared to consider any representations made by the conference they are quite unable to assure the conference that negotiations shall be opened with China on the basis of such representations, as the action of the Imperial Government will altogethar depend on the nature of the proposals to be submitted by the conference.

Sir Henry Parkes, a? president of the conference, has replied to the following effect: —The conference had considered the question from the standpoint of the political and commercial interests of the empire, and commercial interests of the colonies. In 1886 the value of Australian exports to China was £16,000, whilst the Australian imports from China were £850,000. Thus, whilst the Australian custom was of value to China, the latter country afforded no great outlet at-present for Australian trade. No attempt had been made to close Australian markets against Chine.c, and though suggestions for restrictions of a general character had been fully considered, no practicable scheme had bsen discovered. As the Kegotiations between- the Imperial Government and China must occupy an uncertain time, and as the coloniei in the meantime had reason to dread a large influx of Chinese, the several Australian Governments had felt impelled to legislate immediately to protect the citizens of AuhirmiuugalusirHUTnvasiouywmcn wa3 to r/e dreaded in its effect on the labour market and on the social and moral condition. .of- the people. At the same time the conference was anxious that Great Britain 'should negotiate with ths Chinese Government, and if possible conclude a treaty with that country for the exclusion from the Australian colonies of all Chinese except officials, travellers, merchants, and students. By way of assisting the Imperial Government to give effect to this proposal the conference recommended the abolition of the poll tax. The conference believed that existing local legislation was sufficient to accomplish the immediate object which was restriction, but would prefer exclusion to be brought about by means of international agreements. The conference further desired that the" Imperial Government should induce the Governments of Hong Kong and the Straiti Settlements to at once prohibit the immigration of Chinese to the Australian colonies:

The above embodies the business of the conference, and the draft bill giving effect to the above points has been approved. Owners of vessels bringing Chine ;e in excess of the number provided for by the bill are liable to a fine of £5O for each pavsenger'above the prescribed numt jr. A resolution was carried unanimously pledging all colonies excepting New South Wales and Western Australia to introduce the draft bill approved of by the conference in the sevoral Legislatures, it being -understood that the two colonies relcrred to should alter their bills to meet the provisions of the general bill of the conference.

The conference hai now concluded its sittings, the Hon. R. Oliver, the New Zealand delegate, not having reached Sydney in time to attend its sittings. . '■ •