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March 14, 1903.]
Chinese authorities are anxious to discover new methods of augmenting the revenue, and if the difficulties to be surmounted are not too great will overlook their origin. It is to be hoped, however, that they will not endeavour to graft upon the stamp duty some ingenious device for diverting the major portion of the revenue thus produced into the pockets of the mandarinute.
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CHINESE IMMIGRATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
of the Crown in the British Colony of Hongkong." When that comes about, if it ever does, the Imperial Government will doubtless take up a similar attitude to what it is taking up now with regard to the immigration of Japanese.
ENGLAND AND GERMANY.
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Government had been acting in conjunc tion with that at Washington: That no more than our own did the United States wish to have any serious misunderstanding with Germany, which would commit the President to any premature declaration of policy, may be accepted as self-evident. Germany of late has been particularly maladroit in her political relations with the United States, and any little difference between the two was in danger of being fanned into a flame great out of all pro- portion to its intrinsic importance. Nor " nation desire any does England as misunderstanding with Germany which would imflame the present feeling of sore. Did Germany only look upon affairs ness. with greater calumness than she has recently permitted to herself, she would see that no coolness between the two possible end could be subserved by any feeling of countries. Great Britain has positively no desire, as she has no object to gain there- from, for any encroachment on German territory or German-influence. Far more is it her interest to remain on good terms with her neighbours all round. Time was when it was her interest to preserve the autonomy of Germany, and when such was the case she came forward with no grudging hand; nor did she seek to make terms for as Germany should feel ber help such herself humiliated in accepting. Affairs on the coutinent of Europe are at the moment not so pleasant for the future of Germany that that Power can wisely afford to rendǝr herself distasteful to the nation which is more closely related to her by blood than any of the other Powers; and it may well be that Germany may yet be thankful to England for her good offices.
(Daily Press, 11th March.) What was the true inwardness of our alliance with
force Germany to Venezuela a settlement of its long out standing accounts will perhaps never be (Daily Press, 12th March.)
known, and certainly will not be revealed The conflict between British Columbia for a gneration. Venezuela was, it is per. and the Dominion Government with respect fectly well known, for the last fifty years to the restriction of Asiatic immigration was hopelessly bankrupt, and it might have still unsettled when the latest American mails been fairly presumed that those who were despatched. So far as the agitation advanced money to her in her hopeless against Chinese immigration is concerned, condition did go with a full knowledge of the Dominion Government has nt last given a what they were doing, as well as of their promise to the Columbian Legislature which ulterior responsibility for any bad use she is acceptable to them if it is not completely might make of their ill-timed generosity. satisfying. And there is much jubilation At best the operation of going to war of over the result not only in Columbia, but parlook very much of the on the Pacific coastline of the United States, throwing good money after bad, while auy where it is complained that British Columbia alliance with Germany after the ropeated has been used by the Chinese heretofore as proofs of ill-faith afforded in her recent a convenient gateway through the wall of conduct, not only towards Great Britain, but exclusion the States have raised against towards other States with whom she has had them. The past policy of British Columbia diplomatic relations, is objectionable to every towards Asiatic immigration has been oue British subject wherever he be, at home of discouragement rather than absolute or in the colonies. It cannot be supposed exclusion, because (so it is now explained) that the British Government, or that the latter policy runs counter to that of the department of it represented in the Foreign Imperial Government, which has controlled Office, was at all ignorant of this position Whatever be our political views, the conduct of the Dominion Government of affairs. at Ottawa. We are unaware of any pro- the Cabinet of Mr. BALFOUR has at least nounceu ent in this sense by the Imperial earned, by the ability with which it has Government so far as Chinese are concerned, ferecast the opinions of the public, its but with respect to the Japanese the title to the possession of commuousenes ; Imperial Government bas on no than, and it became increasingly evident that
occasion objected to prohibitive neither could we on the one hand permit | legislation by the Colonies against the Germany, by refusing to urge our immigration of Japanese. In its legislative | claims, to establish a preferential claim, enactments British Columbia has drawn nor on the other could we cordially support We are apt to no distinction between the two Asiatic her in her ulterior aims.
at least as much races, and the Premier of Canada has had forget that we are
the so-called MONROE occasion reen ly to again inform the responsible for provincial Government that as long as they Doctrine as the United States; the funda- Doctrine" is to insist on connecting Japanese with Chinese montal principle of the in immigration legislation, just so long assure to America generally the right of would the Federal authorities, for Imperial administering her own affairs; aul the reasons, insist on disallowing those Bills. necessity of taking this view was forced At the same time Sir WILFRID LAURIER upon us by the avowed intention of the has suggested to the Premier of British Holy Alliance to compel by force of arms Columbia that no Federal objectim would the revolted provinces of Spain to return to be taken to a provincial guactuent restrict their allegiance. Under the government of ing the immigration of Chinese, providing GEORGE CANNING aterial aid was given that Japanese immigration was
to the insurgent colonies, and the British no pro- This u arks a
Government was committed to the doctrine hibited by the same Act.
which came eventually to be generally considerable concession to the opponents of Asiatic immigration in the province. accepted in Europe. Of late, partly no Originally the poll tax levied on Asiatic doubt inspired by the growing influence of immigrants into British Columbia was $50. the United States in European politics, Twelve or eighteen months ago it was raised Germany has been chafing about her to $100 in deference to the demands of white exclusion from South American politics, Labour in the province. There was a strong where an opening sems to her to be afforded desire prevalent to raise it still higher, for colonisation; and there was apparent making it a prohibitive poll tax which would the fear lest she should be tempted to take operate us effectively as the exclusion laws advantage of the Venezuelan imbroglio to in the United States. The Dominion Gov. force the position. ernment refused consent, but the anti- have led to unpleasant complications with Chinese agitation being so intense a Royal the United States, who were bound to Commission was appointed to enquire into oppose it by every means in their power. and report upou the causes. Tois Comwis- | With such a proposal the British people sión has reported that the influx of Chinese equally with the British Government could the province operates against its have no sympathy, and it was evidently this progress and is degrading in its influence; approhension-none the less real that it on te labour interest, and as a result of, never found expression iu words—that this report it appears that the Dominion actuate the general distaste of the supposed Curiously Government is prepared to confirm a still policy of the Government. higher tax than is now imposed. "The enough, it was apparently left to Lord next move," the papers tell us," will doubt ROSEBERY to see the self-evident spring of less be to establish a tax that will exclude the governmental policy—at least, he was all Chinese, including those who are subjects the first to point out that doubtlessly the
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MASONIC HALL READING-ROOM.
The new reading-room and library attached to the Freemasons Hall in Zetland Street was for- mally opened on Thursday afternoon by Deputy District Grand Master E. C. Ray, in the absence of District Grand Master Bir V. P. Chater, C.M.G. Haring explained the objects which led to the form tion of the reading-room and library, details that have amongst others already appeared in these columns, Wor. Bro Ray said the room was granted free of rent by the Zetland Lodge, who were the wners, and it was hoped not exceed 83.0 per annum, would be provided that the upkeep, which, he understood, would by voluntary subscriptions. A few books had been presented by brethren, but there was room for many more. It had been decided by the committee of management that the room would be an on stric1ly temperanos Hines, and, whilst cless, blackgammon, dominoes, cards, etc, would be provided, no gambling would be allowed. (Applause.) I he room was open to all subscribing members to lodges in the Colony and to visiting members introduced by them. and would be open from 9 a.m. till 11 p.m. After recording the thanks of brethren for the generosity of the Zetland Lodge in placing the room at their disposal, and expressing « hope anou would always be forthcoming, Wor. Bro. that the funds necessary for its proper mainten
the library and reading-room open. Ray consummated the ceremony by declaring
A vute of thanks to Wor. Bro. Ray, on the call of Bro. J J. Bryan, brought the proceed- lugs to a close.
There are several districts in Chibli whore discontent is rife and where the standard of rebellion has already been hoisted. A. Tientsin letter to hand, says the N.-C. Daily News, now states that in the district of Tutienhsien, tents number quite 3,000, and they are co belonging to Tieutain prefecture, the malcon-
ammunition, while the motto on their gre Paratively we'l provided with modern arm battle standard, bears the legend the Tartars and annihilate the lo last part a most suicidal "platform" to adopt.
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