354
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
ASIATICS IN BRITISH COLONIES. | agniust persons of Asiatic birth settling
those who are not.
18
(Daily Press, 27th May.) So far as can be judged by recent reports the question of the treatment of Asiatics in the British Colonies seems as far from a solution as ever. Vague hopes were entertained that some solution of the difficulty would be found through discussions at the Colonial Conference; but the nature of the subject is such that it seems imposs- ible for any general understanding, which will he satisfactory and will prove of a workable nature, being arrived at. The difficulty is accentuated very much by the fact that the Colonies are ot disposed to recognise any distinction between Asaics who happen to be British subjects and In one point of view this is of course justifiable It is not the political nationality that Colonists object to, but the individuals themselves. Indian or a Chiaman is disliked not because he belongs to India or to China, hut because he belongs to a race who have different habits to Europeans and whose mode of lfe does not fit in with that of European Communities. But of course the chief objection to the Asiatic is that he is a severe competitor with Europeans in miny walks of life. He keeps down the price not of "usance"-bui of labour und of rade prt of sand is consequently unpopular in our Colonies as SHYLOCK was in Venice. Unfortunately in addition to this objection to him, there is the undeniable fact that the habits of life of most Asiatics are not such as commend themselves to the average white man. We may ignore the fact as we like, but fact it still remains that an Asiatic element of any maguitude in a Colony is usually a source of considerable trouble to the Authorities and of no little annoyance upon moral and often insanitary grounds to the community. In such cir cumstances can we reasonably maintain that the Colonies are not justified in puting restrictions upon the advent of whom they consider likely to be a trouble to them and detrimental to their material interests? Upon purely economical grounds the best informed perenna will no doubt be of opinion that the Colonies are mistaken in their views-as cheap labour is probably the most important asset which any com- munity and specially a new community can possess.
But it is not likely that the working classes with whom the Asiatics compete, will regard the matter in this light, and the voice of the working man is all powerful in most of the Colonies, and has, therefore, to be taken as finally decid- ing the question, 80 long as the right of Colonies to complete self-government is recognised, as -it must be, in the present day, as a fundamental principle. If, therefore, the Colonies set their backs up against the admission of Asia1ics, it is certainly difficult to see how the Home Government can say them. "Nay."
-
down amongst them. This question is different in many respects from that of having Asiatics indentured to perform special work and under special conditions, which, though a great deal has been said against it, without in reality much reason, is on the whole the best and the most logical way in which such persons can be admitted. So long as there is a real demand for Chinese labour at the Rand mines it would manifestly be absurd to prohibit it under such restriction as may resonably be imposed. It is, however, a different thing to admit Asiatics into the
$1
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as
Colonies to settle down and become integral part of then, and it is to this that the Colonies very strongly object. The posi- tion of the Home Government in regard to the question is taus a difficult one. It is, un doubt, a departure from recognised principles -as the people in that any British subjects An
India are- should be excluded from any British Colony merely upon the ground of their colour. This is the form in which the matter is usually put, but it is not a true statement of the case; and derives much of its force from being in the nature of a 'catchword." In oue sense it is true; but in another very misle ding. If the Indian were as much fairer as he is darker than Europeans he would be qually objced to if he lived in the same way that he does, had the same habits, was in the same degree unsuitable socially, and above all spent so little for food and lodging that he can compete most seriously with Europeans. The Colonies have manifestly the right to to whether at least a full hearing as such persons sbould be received fellow citizens, especially as when once they begin to come, they son augment their numbers to a very considerable extent. The idea of totally excluding them may be considered going too far in the present days of liberalism in respect to international matters; but that their immigration must be regulated to some extent will be con- ceded by all. The practical question, there- what extent fore, resolves itself into exclusive measures may be legitimately adopted-and this can only be left to the decision of each colony cencerned. As time goes on it is likely that the Colonies them selves will take a more liberal view of the subject than can be expected of them while their own white population is comparatively small. The demand for labour must always be large in countries which have to be developed and opened up-and they may find that the advantages to be obtained from men who can do effective work in this direction, will in a great degree compensate for such disadvantages as attach to the In the meantime, presence of an alien race. however, while opinion in the Colonies is such as it is at the present time, any attempt to force them to act contrary to their own convictions would be a serious mistake--and might in some instances leal to so much ill-feeling as to threaten a dis- ruption from the central Authority. It will therefore, be wise for the Home Govern- ment, who may naturally take a different view of the subject to that entertained in the Colonies, to deal with due care in this matter and to leave it in the main to the decision of the Colonies them-elves.
persons
There has been no little feeling evoked in England in consequence of the Transvaal passing a measure with a view to excluding Asiatics from that Colony and the course adopted is considered to be a special grievance in respect to natives of India, who are British subjects. It seems to be overlooked that a precisely similar measure was long ago passed in the Cape Colony and is the law there at the pre-ent time. There is, therefore, uothing special in the action of the Transvaal, and much inore bas been made of the matter than it really deserves. It is only one instanc among many that Lave occurred of the assertion of inherent dislike which is felt in mos: Colonies
At last the Wingchai, one of the victims of the memorable typhoon, has been refinated from the rocks in which she was embeded at Samahnipo. The Wingchu, which was a po pular vessel on the Macao run, was floated off last week, and will be placed on the lips
n due course.
[June 1, 1907.
TRADE AT NORTHERN PORTS.
(Daily Press, 28th May.) The first volume of Port Trade Statistics
of "resentment
**
15
see that
St
not
and Reports for 1906, issued by the Statistical Department of the Inspectorate General of Chinese Custoins, deals with Newchwang, Chinwangtao, Tientsin, Chefoo, and Kiaochow. The Commissioner at New- chwang notes that there had been too great expectations of trade there. Large stocks of foreign goods accumulated, filling all available godowns, and the demand from Manchuria failed to meet the flood of speculative supplies. He refers to feelings that followed, evidently the charges that Japan was meaning
queering the pitch," and he says of the Shanghai merchants who went to "look-
unhappily, they did go north of Monkden." His verdict, in effect, is that the Japaness were guilty, but not responsible. "Nobody eed seriously be- lieve that there was perfect equality of opportunity, and that the most was not male of the excuse of military necessity; but, after all, these had by comparison a small effect." The primary cause was that at the end of 1905 the country was not ready to absorb the enormous cargoes offered. There had also been "speculation in native produce, by importation through Talien and Vladivostock without payment of duty and (in the case of the Talien at least) with cheaper rates of carriage, by the extensive cre·lit allowed under the 'transfer money' banking system," but the Cm- missioner of Customs makes it clear that disappointment awaited the speculators if the Japanese had not been there at all. When the accumulated goods did percolate, and found their market, the trouble was only just beginning. No money was for them: "the high prices of native pro- duce ruling a short time before were a temptation, and the proceeds of sales were invested in beans, beancake, and oil at higher prices than were warranted, and the buyers felt obliged to hold their stocks rather than face loss. The result was a The interior importers could deadlock." not pay the Newchwang deilers, who could not pay the Shanghai sl'ers, who again found themselves unable to take delivery of the stuff stored at their end. Vladivostock competition did not count for
For a time, goods from the reasons. south had the advantage," but the supply was too lavish. Business throughout the summer, in foreign goods, was consequently dull, and the autumn prospects were killed by the announcement that Talien imports would be free so long as Vladivostock's For the future, given a settle- were. ment of these vexed questions, Manchuria It is prosperous, getting promises well. settled fast, with good crops and communities growing bigger and richer. aru settling, But though immigrants brigands continue unsettling, and there is suggestio that taxation is excessive. Talien be its Newchwang at present with better railway facilities, the rate per ton per mile from Newchwang being double the rate from Talien, and so it continues likely to get the cream of the trade.
}
"
received
various
The Commissioner at Tientsin dwells largely on the amazing urban developments there, building and population alike pro- gressing. There was a great increase in shipping, a'so; and “in all this growth— in shipping, trade, population, and building activity-it is the Ja; a sẻ who figure inost promin-atly, the first full year of peace having witnessed a rema kable turning of their energies to commercial conquest." Tientsin importers are tending to iguore
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