THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 25 May 1888, Page 13

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

. ♦ (Per Press Association.) London, May 16. The St. James' Gazette iv the course of an article on the Chinese difficulty in Australia says that England must accept Sir Henry Parkes' ultimatum, and that the attitude assumed by the Australian colonies deserves the sympathy and support of England. Most of the papers advocate the application by Australia of the terms of the American Chinese treaty aj a solution of the Chinese difficulty. Lord Salisbury has received a cable message 'from the Chinese Government protesting against the action of the Australasian Colonies in excluding the Chinese. The despatch urged the British Government to impress upon the colonies the necessity of maintaining existing laws and permitting the Chinese to land in accordance with the treaty obligations between Great Britain and Chins. The Echo, in the course of an article on the Chinese difficulty, says the colonies must firmly resist any display of shiftiness in the matter on the part of the Imperial Government. The Standard says on the Chinese question that there is only one course to be pursued by the colonies, and if the Chinese immigration

exceeds the necessities of the colonies, they are I old enough and should be strong enough, to | settle the difficulty to their own satisfaction. , May 17. I In the House of Commons to-day Sir John Gorst, in reply to a question, stated that Lord Carington, Governor of New South Wale?, had nob been instructed by the Imperial Government to vetoe the Chinese Restriction Act now under consideration of the New South Wales Legislature. May 18. Replying to Mr Howard Vincent, the Government said that they were not at the present time prepared to disclose what progress had been made with the negotiations with China concerning the Australian difficulty. May 19. In an article dealing with the Chinese difficulty in Australia, the Times t deprecates the panic action of the Government of New South Wales. It considers that the decision of the Colonial Governments ought only to be adopted after duo notice had been given, and states that it would be a serious calamity should the colonies put themselves wrong at the outset, since the Marquis of Salisbury and Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of New South Wales, would be I compelled to justify the breaking of the treaty i with China. The Times, however, considers that England will be compelled to negotiate with China fora new treaty in the direction demanded by the colonies, Hongkong, May 17. The Chinese Imperial authorities are greatly irritated at the recent action of the Australian Governments in attempting to exclude Chinese from the several colonies, believing that such action is meant as a deliberate attempt to compel the British Government to propose the negotiation of a similar treaty to that recently concluded at Washington between the Government of the United States and China. It is argued that England cannot compel China to conform to such a treaty, owing to existing international obligations between the two countries, aud that China could only be a party to such a treaty on a compensation basis, taking America as a precedent. The Chinese press claim that all Chinese passengers now on the way to Australia should be allowed to land, having left this country under the moral protection of existing laws, ana that none should be detained or sent back until such time as fair warning has been given that the Australian Colonies are to be closed to the Chinese for the future. Sydney, May 17. The number of Chinese now under detention here is 530. The Victorian and South Australian Governments, having suggested that a conference should be held before the colonies initiated legislation, are inclined to resent the isolated action of New South Wales on the Chinese question. On the motion for the second reading of the Chinese Restriction Bill, Sir H. Parkes said that the measure would adopt the principle of the treaties between England and China if they extended to Chinese subjects the same rights as were extended to British subjects in China, and no treaty was violated by its provision. In a strong speech the Premier proceeded to disclaim any hostility to the Chinese. The only ground of opposition to their introduction was a belief that it was the duty of New South Wales to preserve the type of the British nation pure, and not on any consideration to admit elements of an inferior character to detract from their nationality. He denied that the Government had acted harshly. The Imperial Government had received ample notice. Neither for her Majesty's representative on the spot nor for the Secretary of State did the Government intend to turn aside from their purpose, which was to terminate the landing of Chinese for ever, except under the provisions of this bill, which practically amounted to prohibition. Chinese will have to reside in the places prescribed by the Government and obtain passports when travelling. They will not be allowed to engage in mining, but all other pursuits will be free. The bill was read a second time on the voices. In the Supreme Court to-day argument was heard on the application to make a rule nisi absolute for a writ of habeas corpus in the case of the Chinese passengers by the Afghan and Tsinan detained here. The Court held that the Government 'had not power to detain the men and that they were illegally kept in custody, and an order was made by the Court for their release. May 18. The Legislative Assembly sat all night, and in the early hours of this morning the Chinese Restriction Bill passed through all its stages. It is not known what action the Government will take with reference to the Supreme Court having granted a habeas 'corpus to the Chinese; but from the remarks which fell from the Hon. Mr Garrett, it is inferred that the Government have not exhausted their resources. The Legislative Council, by a laree majority, refused to suspend the Standing Orders so that j the bill couM como under immediate consideration. A good deal of opposition to the measure i was shown. Mr William M'Hillan, member for Bast Sydney, has given notice of the following motion :—" That the language used by the Go- , vernment in their cable of the 15th May to the Secretary of State for the Colonies dealing with the Chinese difficulty was uncalled for, as well as being an illegal proceeding, and is liable to disturb the frieudly feeling existing between the colonies and the Mother Country, and to render more difficult the ultimate settlement of the Chinese question." The motion will be discussed on Tuesday. During the last few days several Chinamen have been subjected to severe handling at the hands of larrikins, and the Government are offering rewards for the conviction of any person or persons guilty of offering violence to the Mongolians. The Government intend to appeal against the recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of the Chinese passengers detained on board the steamers Afghan and Teinan, who will not be allowed to land ponding the decision of the Appeal Court. The captains of the steamers named waited on Admiral Fairfax to-day and laid the matter before him. The admiral replied that it was a question for the colonial Government to determine, and that he could do nothing at present. The same deputation will interview the Governor on the subject. The Chinese passengers detained on board the steamers in the harbour express themselves confident they will be allowed to land. Public feeling in the city is strongly excited, aud a large number of police are being held in readiness to quell any disturbance that may arise. Such of the detained Chinese passengers as are in possession of exemption certificates will be landed at 3 to-morrow morning. May 19. j The Chinese who are in possession of proper i papers were landed to-day without molestation. May 20. The Government have appointed a commissioner to make inquiries as to the amount of compensation which should, be paid to the Chinese passengers who will be compelled to retore to Hongkong, as many will be destitute oq

their return or embarkation. Inquiry made shows that 40 of those by the Afghan and Tsinan have correct papers, and these will be permitted to land. May 21. Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier, declines- to discuss the Chinese question unless the conference is composed of members of the Executive Councils of other Governments. It is considered that this action has been brought about by the rumoured intention of the New Zealand Government to send a representative other than a Minister of the Crown. Melbourne, May 17. The Argus unfavourably criticises Sir H. Parkes' isolated action against the Chinese. Ifc considers that the hasty step he has taken may have grave consequences, involving thejvhole of Australia, as many may follow the example of his precipitate action. May 18. The Chinese question has occupied the chief deliberations of the Cabinet. The Premier, Mr Gillies, considers that the present legislation is sufficiently broad to block any rush of Chinese immigration, and before taking any further steps he prefers to await the receipt of Lord Enutsford's reply to the despatches forwarded by the Government of this colony and South Australia. May 19. All the papers here severely criticise Sir H. Parkes' action against the Chinese. May 21. The Executive Council have agreed that if, by reason of the influx of Chinese, the numbers should increase too rapidly in particular districts, the Governor-in-Couucil may order their removal to another part of the colony. Hobart, May 18. Tasmania declines to take part in the conference on the Chinese question in consequence of the isolated action of the Premier of New South Wales. (Special to Pkess Association.) London, May 18. It is stated that Ch>ua is not disposed td enter into negotiations with England for another treaty. May 19. The Spectator, referring to the Chinese emigration to Australia, considers it a species of clave trade conducted by the greatest villains. The St. James Gazette and Saturday Review, while admitting that the principle of exclusion is justified, submit that the action taken by the colonies has been somewhat hasty. The Economist thinks that the colonies have exaggerated the danger of an influx of Chinese. The Times states that China will probably demand the payment of a heavy indemnity for not permitting emigrants from there to land in Australia. New York, May 19. The Chinese minister, resident in London, has informed the special correspondent of the New York Herald that the decision of the New South Wales Government to refuse to allow the, Chinese passengers to land at Sydney was cruel and unjust. He believed that Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier of that colony, would soon discover that the action taken by his Government was not the way to gain any favours from Pekin, and it would have been better had the Australian Governments adopted a conciliatory policy in a like manner to America.