CHINESE ON THE RAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2612, 6 April 1904, Page 15

CHINESE ON THE RAND

A SYDNEY PROTEST.

SYDNEY, March 30

A large meeting, held in the Town Hall, at which the Lord Mayor (Mr Hughes) presided, adopted resolutions emphatically protesting against the wholesale importation of Chinese into the Transvaal, and recording appreciation of the efforts cf the Commonwealth Ministry, the Federal Labour party, and the Liberal party in the House of Commons in endeavouring to prevent such unjust competition against the interests of the loyal white workers of the Empire.

Mr John Norton was the chief speaker. He warmly denounced 1 the proposal, .and said that all praise was due to Mr Seddon for being the very first to protest against this retrograde f^tep.

The Minister of Works (Hon. E. W. O'Sullivan) said he joined heart and soul in the' protest. He was pleased to see the stand taken by Mr Seddon, who, in his opinion, was the biggest man in Australasia to-day.

The following cable was read from Mr Sedd'on: — ''Am delighted to bear of your anti-Chinese meeting, and earnestly hope, even though so late, that- the voice of reason may prevail against this threatened disgrace and disaster to the Transvaal and the Empire.*'

It was decided to send the thanks of the meeting to Mr »Seddon, to Mr Deakin, the leader of the Federal Labour party (Mr Watson, M.P.), and to the English opponents of the Chinese labour proposal.

A LETTER FROM CAPETOWN.

The Premier has forwarded to us for publication the following letter, which he has received from the Hon. J. W. Jagger, M.L.A., chairman of the Anti-Chinese Committee, Capetown : — Anti-Chiaese Committee, Capetown. ■ 'February 22, 1904-. Right Hon. Richard Seddon, Wellington. Dear Sir, — Imperial Parliament having given sanction to the introduction of Chinese labour into the Transvaal, it remaina for us to consider our fuhire' plan of campaign, and at this juncture to thank the distinguished colonial statesmen who have rendered us such signal, though unfortunately unsuccessful, assistance.

To you, Sir, specially, the Asiatic Committee feel indebted for your efforts in endeavouring to maintain this country as *• British preserve. There cannot be any doubt but that your forcible and convincing condemnation of the proposals had very considerable effect at Home. At the same time, having your help and sympathy, we were greatly encouraged in our uphill battle against the forces of capitalism and shortsighted self-interest. The committee did everything in its power by promoting meeting? in various paita of the colony, by publishing the opinions of authoritative and influential statesmen, and by close correspondence with members of Parliament and others to stimulate healthy opposition here and to bring the Imperial Government and tho House of Commons to regard this question from its proper bearings.

The Imperial Government must have been cognisant of the fact that the Transvaal Legislative Council was in nowise representative of the different interests, but that it was merely the mouthpiece of the Chamber of Mines. It must have also been aware that the Transvaal Labour Commission was> really v committee composed of the same chamber, with a few independent members added; that the people who prepared the evidence and those who_ judged upon the evidence were one and the same, and that from the moment of its appointment the result was a foregone conclusion.

In spite of the knowledge of these anomalies and regardless of the injustice done to the natives and to the thousands of Britishers drawn hero during and after the war, regardless of the unscrupulous and diabolical methods (of which the correspondence in the papers I post to you herewith will give you some idea) employed by the financiers controlling the Rand to reduce the people to something weaker than "passive resistance," the Imperial Parliament has to our intense disappointment permitted itself to be influenced into giving a momentous decision without consulting the mass of the people directly concerned. So far as th© feeling here can be ascertained there can bo no doubt that throughout of the colony the farmer is beginning to realise what this change threatens to the community in th© near future. It is quite possible that both here and in the other colonies the farmers, glamoured by the hopes held out of abundance of cheap labour, did not at first realise the danger to the Stale of this innovation. The elections just concluded have, however, been the means of enlightening them, and to-day they are sincere and earnest in their opposition.

In the inland towns, where the people have been settled for years, the feeling is one of antipathy. In the coast towns there is not the- same unanimity. The mercantile community all over South Africa are suffering severely from the depression following the excessively inflated trade caused by expenditure, of Imperial money during 1 the war, and the restocking of up-country stores, which took place immediately upon its termination. Consequently the majority, though not by any means all, are willing to support any proposal that offers any hope of relief. On the othel' hand, the great mass of the coloured people and working men are strenuous in their onDosi-

tion; but, unfortunately, they are without organisation, or money. Imperially we f-eel the Empire has lost considerably. It has practically given over to the yellow man what might have been a splendid inheritance of the British people. It has wilfully allowed itself to get out of touch with thousands who, thoroughly British at heart, have sacrificed much and were prepared to sacrifice more for the Empire. It has lost the affection and regard of many of her sons, who consider that the intereats of this part of the Empire have been wontonly betrayed. Nevertheless, it is not the intention of the committee to withdraw its opposition or to retire from the field. We shall still continue to exist a3 a fighting force, in the hope that ultimately tho " status ouo anti " will be restored and the advance of South Africa will be permitted to progress along truly British lines.

If any step should ourar to you that it would be advisable for us to take, our committee would be extremely gratified to receive it.

In tho meantime accept a\w warmest and deepest gratitude for flic invaluable assistance you have rendered the British people here and in Great Britain by your efforts to retain unsullied this part of the world as a great British settlement. — I have, etc., J. W. Jaggkr, M.L.A., Chairman cf the Anti-Chineo2 Committee.