THE CHINESE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 26 August 1871, Page 2

THE CHINESE.

It is quite possible that the advent of tlie Chinese among us may solve tlie problem of labour for farmers and otliers, and elevate farming and other industrial operations out of a languishing into a payable and healthy condition, ■without materially affecting tlie Avages of our own labourers. It is possible, indeed, iv many ways which are not at present apparent, and "which may only become so very gradually, that an end highly important and satisfactory may be the outgrowth of the inroad which now creates only distiubance and alarm. N"o social revolution has ever come about without some ill-omened prophecies. Yet, few peaceable social changes, operating, as in this instance, among masses of human beings, and guided by ruling or superior powers, without being by them either unduly repressed or fostered, have failed to result in the general good. Some may regard this as idle and chimerical ; and some as if sucli remarks implied indifference to the interests of an important section of the community ; as if it were a crime to cast a favourable augury respecting those whom they rightly or wrongly have prejudged as only worthy of summary expulsion. It may be idle and only a dream, and if so, our naming it will not influence its accomplishment. The means we allude to, whereby the Chinese and their acquirements may be converted into profit, are various, Let us refer to one instance especially, In tlie growth of cereals, the propei

business of the farmer, lie is brought into close competition with other coxuibries — move uniformly into competition than is the manufacturer of linen or cotton goods. The world and nothing less is his market. His produce is sent to all the quarters of the globe ; to Australia, California, and Great Britain. And that the average prices which he obtains may pa.y him, the rate of wages that he has to pay for labour must correspond ■with that which is paid by those countries that are competing wiMi him in tlie same field. Now, with wages as they are at present here — so much higher than in America and South Australia — his chance is but a poor one. But if the Chinese could be induced to draft themselves in gangs or parties to engage in farming work, his difficulty might be solved. Were they, not immediately on their arrival, but after a little time, when sated perhaps with the siftings of wwughtout claims, led into this congenial occupation, wo believe it would be to the great benefit of tlie farmer and of the country, and that without injury to the farm-lired labourer, avliosc muscle and energy would always render him indispensable. It appears to us that Lhc previous habits and training of many of the Chinese Avould render them exceedingly xiseful as agricultural labourers. They have been accustomed to work with the simple but ingenious appliances of theircountry — the slight plough or harrow, drawn by the Avater ox or domesticated < buffalo ; the fanning mill (Avhich first t gave to modern Europe its idea of the 1 implement) ; the irrigation pump ; the i process of charcoal making ; the manu- s facture of paper from the pulp of tens t der young bamboo (as our pliwrniv/m, t lencm leaf and stalk entire, might be "\ manufactured) ; while in manufactures 1 and productions of many kinds, they c greatly excel. They have been exclu- £ sively accustomed to hand labour ; and c in whatever requires patient toiling-on, t they are 'to the manner born.' c But if it be urged that this employ- t ment of the Chinese -would diminish y the demand for our oavh agricultural a labourers, and tend to the lowering of d their • wages, we reply, yes, should h farming operations aot fee extended, a

But such an extension ■would be sure to follow this, or anything else which would make fanning more payable. Just as- this became the result would the breadth of land takeii in and put under cultivation increase year by year ; for as nothing stays the operations of the farmer but ill-success or want of capital, so nothing is so certain as the opposites of these to xu-ge him on. No class needs less, as a rule, the stinmlant of a good return to be induced to go ahead — the Scotch farmer more particularly. He may keep muttering Lis chronic grumble — always maundering over it ; but let him Jfinger the profits of a ' bra' hairst,' though he may still say little, he will write his satisfaction very speedily in many an additional long furrow. If we might name other ways by which the employment of the Chinese could be made instrumental in increasing our prosperity, we would allude to the operations of mining and quartz crushing companies ; but we prefer drawing attention for a moment to a consideration of another kind, of great importauce, though entirely prospective. By means of the Chinese, pei-haps, an intercourse between this country and China may be opened up which may prove of immense importance. Sir Mokton Peto has told how this has hap2)ened in California ; and what has occurred there may occur here. It Avill be sufficient that we quote a passage from his book on America, the application to ourselves being obvious. ' With China especially,' says Sir Morton Peto, ' a very large trade is being developed from San Francisco. Flour, wheat, lumber, butter, cheese, lard, wine, and vegetables, are all being exported from San Francisco to China in increasing quantities. The Chinese who have settled themselves in California — in spite of the most determined efforts to exclude them on the part of a section of the population — have done great service in teaching their countrymen at home the use and value of CaJiforniiui products, and in overcoming their ancient prejudice to " barbarian " diet. Let this trade only be fairly inaugurated, and the requirements of a population almost illimitable will give assurance of a most important market for the staple products of the United States at remunerative prices.' But notwithstanding these benefits which Aye may derive from the Chinese, that there is a present danger and difficulty cannot be denied. The Chinese come here to work as miners, and we certainly sympathise with our own mining population in the alarm which they very naturally feel, seeing as it were their patrimony invaded, and reasoning that as Chinese on miners' rights take up the country their oavu chances are proportionately lessened, But it were a very doubtful policy, were it possible, to attempt their expulsion, and wo are

loth to think that our countrymen on the Goldfields should not be able to

hold a veil their oavji in competition with an inferior race, and that such a possibility, in such a connection, should ever be a moot question. The strength of the Chinese in their weakness as

foreigners in a foreign country is in combination, aud by submitting to being ruled and guided by heads and leaders. By this, and this mainly, they are enabled to counterbalance the disadvantages of their position. In obedience to tin's, their action is prompt, their movements concerted, aud their success sure. If English and American miners, Avith the vastly greater advantages which they passes^ in being as it wer-e at home, and in the possession of mental and physical superiority, avoulcl but submit jto a similar organisation — would btit try in evei], unpromising and partly-wrought-Qut fields, the effect of combit nation by companies — =we cannot ccwiceive but that then- success would be great, and that by a more extended combination, entered into with energy, they might take u\) every bit of unoccupied ground, and effectually forestall thej foreign intruder. The miners have wealth ; they are as a class intelligent, and at every point are some who show distinctly astuteness and adaptability which constitute the clever business man. AU that they need, then,

is local action, and an effective corresponding body. Let them gather the ! frittered, lost elements of strength; aiicf bind them iiito oiie well-developed effective uiiityi