ASIATIC EXCLUSION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12437, 9 April 1908, Page 5

ASIATIC EXCLUSION.

Pro-Asiatic Speech by Mr Lytteltun.

Press Association .— Telpgraph.— Copy right. Received April 9, 8.10 a.m. LONDON, April 8. Presiding at a meeting of the colonial section of the Society of Arts, at which a number of representative Australians were present, Mr Richard Jebb read a paper advocating the general adoption of the Natal Act in all the self-governing colonies. The Hon. Alfred Lyttelton agreed that Mr Jebbs' conclusion, that the self-govern-ing colonies were irrevocably determined not to admit effective competition from Asiatics, was substantially true, but he proceeded to utter a grave warning that we must be prepared for the consequences. He /Remarked that when he considered what a tremendous thing it is to be an Empire of all races, with India united against the pretensions of the Western nations — who practically demand a monopoly for Western people in the lands of the Westerns, and then free competition, on terms of absolute equality, with Eastern peoples — he felt that, though the colonies might be able to maintain that position for 20 or 25 years, it was doubtful if we would be able to support them indefinitely in their policy of Asiatic exclusion. He described as pregnant Mr Jebb's suggestion that India might be compensated with fiscal freedom. Lord Ampthill urged the need of an Imperial conference on the whole subject.