The Star. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1902.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7329, 15 February 1902, Page 4

The Star. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1902.

JAPAN AND THE COLONIES. The effect? of tho "Anglo-Japanese alliance will bs -witched closely in the colonies for many reasons in general, and for one in particular. It will be . interesting- to see how the outcome will affect Japanese immigration to Australasia. In the past there has been, a, strong tendency on the part of the subjects of ihs Mikado to find an outlet for their industry, andi enterprise in this part of the world. At one time, indeed, they invaded Australia, in, such, force that the State Governments were compelled to consider seriously the question of excluding them altogether, t The Australian- Governments did not take this extreme course, but they agreed that Japanese should only be allowed to land under most stringent restrictions. Since- the establishment of ■ the Commonwealth the tendency to exclude alien labour has become more marked than ever. The Kanaka as doomed already, many Asiatic races are threatened with similar treatment, and the Japanese would doubtless have shared the fate- of the latter but for an energetic protest, from their Government. The attitude of the Imperial Government over that protest is explained • v now. Negotiations for the Anglo-Japanese *lliance were proceeding when- the Commonwealth issued its threat . against alien, immigrants, and the Home authorities were clearly not going to allow any colonial interests to interfere with the consummation ] of such a moment ous arrangement. So far * there is a tendency in Australia to ,-riesr the conduct of the Imperial authorities in the most sympathetic light. M»st of the public men who 'have referred to the subject have referred to it an terms of satisfaction. They are ready, if necessary, to sacrifice the interests of the colonies to the interests of the nation, and they are supported! by the newspaper press. It is to-be hoped, however, tfcaCit^wjU.nci-. g>e necessary to sacrifice the interests of the" wlonies in order to please Japan. Mr Eairton, we are glad to observe, agrees with this view, -and we shall nob be surprised to find his opinion endorsed by a majority of reflective people an Australia. At first sight it must- be confessed that there is something to t>e said in favour of the contention that the alliance will increase the difficulty of excluding the Japanese from the colonies, but ai moment's reflection, should be enough to convince the believers in this theory that they have no cause for apprehension. As a» matter of fact the existence of an alliance between- Britain and Japnn ought 'to make it a matter of easy diplomacy for his Majesty's advisers to carry out the wishes of the colonies in this matter.