N.G.’S Chinese Problem

Is Asiatic Community Receiving Justice From Australia?

Letter to the Editor FROM time to time we are treated by the Australian Press to sidelights on what is termed “The Chinese Problem in New Guinea.”

Unfortunately, however, in most cases a strained and exaggerated view of the White Australia Policy has prejudiced any attempt to approach the matter with sincerity and justice.

In New Guinea there is undoubtedly the problem, expanding every day, of finding a place in the economic system for young Asiatics, born in the Territory, the major portion of whom are Chinese.

It is an unsolved problem solely because no attempt based on knowledge and jus tice has been made to solve it.

When, after much uncertainty and dis cussion, the now Mandated Territory of New Guinea became a German posses sion, difficulty in obtaining and retaining suitable and sufficient labour caused the German Administration to invite Chinese and other Asiatics to come here. A large number of Chinese coolies came as in dentured labourers for a term of service.

At the conclusion of their period of in denture many of these coolies, who were good workmen, were pressed to stay.

Only about 20 remain in the Territory now and they are useful and respected citizens.

In addition to the coolies who were labourers, a large body of free Chinese and other Asiatic artisans were induced to come to the Territory, and were even paid wages in excess of what Australian artisans were receiving at that time. As

development required tlie continued ser vices of these artisans all kinds of in ducements were held out to them to re main. Very many did so and became the parents and grandparents of the present large and rapidly growing Asiatic com munity.

Yet even to-day Europeans become hopelessly mixed in speaking about the Chinese, claiming that the present gen eration is solely descended from former coolies. It would be just as true to assert that Australians are lineal descendants of the early convicts. A Catholic mission ary declared that out of a congregation of 140 Asiatics, there was only one coolie and five children of former coolies.

Records show that in 1913 the Chinese population consisted of 535 artisans, 32 planters, 182 business people, 44 engin eers, 17 sailors, 186 labourers, 280 in semi-skilled employments, and 101 wo men. It is obvious that these people did not come here as coolies.

With the war came another phase of the Asiatic question, likewise misunder stood and erroneously misrepresented.

From 1914 until 1921, military rule ob tained in New Guinea. No one knew what would eventuate and so no atten tion was given to the Asiatic question.

The Mandate given to Australia began to operate from May 9, 1921. Australia had a wonderful opportunity to demon strate her fitness to rule and develop the Territory on established lines, based on equity and British justice, as well as to live down her bad reputation in dealing with the Australian aboriginals.

Reviewing events from 1921 until to day one looks in vain for signs of any thing approaching justice in our treat ment of Asiatics. The Chinese, as is nat ural, have married and, faithful to their Creator’s mandate to increase and mul tiply, they have become a numerous com munity. Yet even this fact is a reproach in certain minds.

If, as is evident, the intention of those giving the Mandate to Australia was to set up a just and equitable administra tion in the Territory, equally distribu ting benefits as well as burdens, one looks in vain for it as regards Asiatics.

Has this been sincerely attempted?

Chinese born in the Territory are for bidden to take up and work land (ex cept in a few cases); they are hindered by recruiting and cannot search for gold or engage in trading outside limited areas. What are they to do?

A mandate has been declared, I under stand, by the Privy Council to be a foreign country. Consequently Austra lians here are now aliens in an alien land. From where comes the right to harass and restrict the real native-born residents of the Territory? One example

will clarify my meaning. As regards education, what has been done for Asiatics (and likewise half-castesj ?

These people are full contributors to the taxes of the Territory. Money is taken regularly from the Treasury to

provide free education for the children of Europeans, yet not a penny is allo cated for the education of the native born Asiatics. Their taxes are used to educate little aliens coming here; and yet, if they want education, they must find it for themselves.

Uninformed and misinformed critics have said that the native-born young Chinese refuse to accept positions when offered to them, or to become artisans, but prefer to idly hang around “China town!” Nothing is further removed from the truth. I know, because I have studied the situation for years.

Large numbers of young local-born Chinese are at present engaged in car pentering, boat-building, painting, etc.

In fact, practically the whole of the skilled labour is left to them. If more are not engaged, it is solely because open ings are not available to receive them.

As to those who have been forced to decline clerical positions the real reason has not been disclosed. Quite a large number of Chinese youths have gone to colleges in Hong Kong and Australia for higher education. A few years ago, 15 departed for high school in China, by one boat, from the Catholic school, and 11 by a later steamer. Others have spent years in high schools in Australia. These youths remain at college until their 18th year, and then take a commercial course for another year.

Returning to Rabaul, smart, well educated young men, their services have been sought after for salaries as low as £4, £6 or £8 per month, and they were

expected to do the same work as others receiving £25 per month. Naturally, these young Chinese have spurned the offers of those seeking cheap skilled labour at starvation rates, and have demanded re muneration proportionate to the services they are prepared to render, and not according to the colour of their skin.

I know this is a fact, because I have known educated young Chinese seeking employment and rightly declining the miserable pittance offered for their ser vices. Many half-castes, born and geared in the Territory, are earning sums vary ing from £l5 to £25 per month. Why should educated young Chinese be paid less?

We hope for fair treatment for our own people so we should not deny to others the right to live, work, and prosper in the land of their birth.

I am, etc.,

Advocate Of Justice.

Rabaul, 12/7/37.