UNABLE TO LEAVE THE COLONY.

THE CHINESE CIRCULAR FURTHER PARTICULARS. MEETING IN AUCKLAND.  UNABLE TO LEAVE THE COLONY. A meeting of Chinese residents in Auckland and suburbs was held yesterday, to further consider the circular forwarded by the Governor of Canton. We have seen the document itself. It is very lengthy, and we are indebted to Mr. Thomas Ah Quoi for further information as to its contents, especially that portion having reference to the Chinese now resident in the Australasian colonies. In regard to the stoppage of importations from China, it is not made an order or edict that there should be no importations, but the Chinese merchants and others are recommended to cease importing Chinese goods not only from Hongkong, but from all other ports. The imports are usually opium, Chinese silks, teas, &c. The circular gives no reason for this recommendation, but it is distinct on the matter of leaving it optional whether to adopt it or not. It has come to the knowledge of the Governor of Canton that the Colonial Governments have adopted harsh restrictive measures regarding the Chinese, and this has given rise to a great deal of illfeeling amongst the European and Chinese traders at Hongkong, and other ports, and unpleasant feelings exist as to the treatment of the Chinese in the colonies, but the circular states that if they wish to suffer under the restrictions imposed, no force would be used to stop their business. It points out that there. is ample room for the Chinese in their own country, and contrasts the treatment which Chinese receive in the colonies with the protection afforded by the Chinese Government to British traders and subjects in China. Mr. Ah Quoi reiterates that there is nothing whatever in the circular directing Chinese to close their affairs in the colonies and return to China. With respect to the meeting held yester—several had been held previously to consider the circular principal subject under discussion was the project of assisting some Chinese in Auckland, who are desirous of returning home. Some of them have sufficient money to pay their passages, others have not, but the necessary amount would be made up for the latter. There are about twenty in Auckland desirous of returning to China, but they cannot get passages, and they complain justly and bitterly that while the colonial governments prevent them from coming here, they prevent those who wish to do so from going away. Some have already been detained against their wills for two months. The steamship companies will not book them to Sydney, whence they might obtain passages to Hong Kong, and the result will be that if they are kept back much longer, their money will be spent, and they will have nothing to support them here. It was agreed to make a further effort to get these twenty men who are so anxious to get away, passages, and a further meeting will be held on Sunday next.

 

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9101, 9 July 1888, Page 5