THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 7

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

(TRESS COMMENTS ON THF DEBATE. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. LONDON, March 15. (Received March 16, at 8.12 a.m.) The Daily News (Radical), in referring to the debate in the House of Commons" on the question of the Chinese on the Hand, comments on the Governments' prudence in uprooting the tares without destroying legitimate interests. They -had acted in the full knowledge ' that. the mining industry's tine basis was not yellow labour.

The Standard (Opposition) emphasises Mr Chamberlain's warning that it would be a delusion to imagine that disapproval of the Transvaal Labour Ordinance by Canada and Australasia implies any support in tampering with the rights and liberties of the people of South Africa. The paper also asserts that the Government is hugely mistaken if it imagines that it is able to impose' its ideas of morality on a self-governing people. (Received March 16, at 8.33 a.m.) The Times, commenting on the debate, severely censures tho Government for its determination to maintain at all costs its reputation for consistency with its followers. Tlie Government had capitulated to tho violence and malignity of a. section of its supporters, and was on the eve of the. creation of a situation of the gravest menace to the whole future of the Empire. The Daily Chronicle (Government) deprecates Mr ClmichiH's rather injudicious assumption that a conflict is likely, and his emphasising his resolve to override, a colonial Government.

The Morning Advertiser (Opposition) characterises the Government's attitude as one of hypocrisy, and quote Sir Edward Grey' 6 last sentence. The newspaper predicts that when the time comes, and the present bluster is forgotten, the Government will be able to exhibit a most gracious confidence in the morality and humanity of a British self-governing colony.

(Received March 16, at 9.6 a.m.) The Manchester Guardian (Liberal) taunts Mr Balfour with being & tremendous advocate of non-interference in colonial rights when in opposition, although he vetoed British Columbia's anti-Japanese legislation when in power, while Mr Chamberlain ignored the fearful charges of maltreatment against West Australian natives, though made on serious authority. STOCK DEPRESSED." LONDON, March 16. (Received March 16. at 11.3 p.m.) Mr Winston Churchill's, speech on the question of Chinese labour on the Band has caused a reaction in South African shares in London, which is reflected in Paris and Berlin, where the deadlock over the Algeciras Conference has accentuated the depression. MOTION TO CENSURE LORD MILNER.

(Received March 17, at 0.7 a.m.) Mr Byles on Wednesday, in the House of Commons, moves a resolution censuring Lord Milner. Mr Kincaid Smith moves, and Mr Fiennes seconds, an amendment declaring that an attack on the policy and conduct of Lord Milner is ill-advised at the present juncture and calculated to revive and accentuate racial animosity. TRANSVAAL OPINION. - CAPETOWN, March 16. (Received March 17, at 0.17 a.m.) Mr Y. D. P. Chappin, president of the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg, emphasised the serious responsibility assumed by the Imperial Government. Referring to labour, he said if bad limes came the whole community would suffer.

The Times' Johannesburg correspondent says the presence and prosperity of tens of thousands of Britishers means the integrity of the Empire. Withdrawal would spell the virtual loss of one or more of the colonies.

Mr T. P. Theron, president of the Afrikander party, in opening the Bond Congress at Ceres, said that if the promise of responsible government to the new colonies was fairly fulfilled the Liberals would benefit the Empire, remove much of the past bitterness., and bring federation nearer. He hoped the Imperial Government would have the courage to honestly accomplish its promises regarding Chinese labour. He emphasised the necessity for education. The prospects for Protection were encouraging. He was grieved that the consequences of the war and the drought had impaired the independence and spirit of the Afrikander farmer,