Hebrides

Chinese In New

Political Affiliations

Letter to the Editor YOUR special correspondent, writ ing from Vila in your July issue, “New Hebrides Wants No Change,” lacks knowledge of the facts and does not understand the position of the Chinese here.

There are a total of six Chinese stores on the Canal of Santo—pre viously there were seven—and the majority are sub-branches of Vila stores. The Chinese population in

Santo is about 20, whereas you stated there were between 70 to 80 —quite a remarkable exaggeration.

We admit most of the Chinese stores are built on Zone Maritime land, sub-leased to the Chinese by local French citizens who actually have no right to sub-lease without the approval of the French Govern ment. However, the Chinese have now moved out, and have leased land elsewhere to conform to local re gulations.

It appears that the Tonkinese are not worried by the sub-lease rule, and no action is taken to force them to vacate Zone Maritime land.

Chinese stores in Vila trade with Europeans, natives and Tonkinese,

and although some stores have oye 20 years experience in the Hebrides, have not a strong hold ii the Group. Chinese do not des with exports (copra, etc.) and it i for that reason that the big firmu such as Burns Philp and C.F.N.HI do not suffer in the least by thr operation of the Chinese stores.

You say the words of “Th Chinese Meeting Place—Kue Mii Tang” have been slightly altered bt the addition of other words. W wonder whether he could reai Chinese, because the Chinese Clui has not been altered by wor addition over the past 20 years.

The Chinese Club has no conneo tion with the Kue Min Tang—whic'; means Chinese National Party. Then has never been any organisation either Kue Min Tang or any othe political parties, the past twentl years. The club was established b< the old Chinese, inaugurated in 193< and approved by both British am French Governments of the Nev Hebrides, and as a club was not con cerned with political affairs. We thinj all old and most young Nev Hebrides citizens know the Chines?

Club well. The Club still stands but is not frequented by the younge; Chinese very much owing to the fac that outside interests, such as foot ball, movies, etc., take most of theii leisure time. The China Civil wai has had no effect to the Club whatl soever.

You say that Chinese politics views are not made plain. In air swer to that, our political views arr very plain. Our Government ii the Formosa Chinese Government.

We cannot see why this speciaE correspondent should interfere witl the Chinese personal home affairs— there is the Government to contra the Chinese, if necessary. We advisi; him to mind his own business ano if he really needs to write about Chinese we will be pleased to offe; our assistance in all ways possible In the near future, we hope thii

special correspondent will givr

correct reports, and not be afraid to sign his name.

To all readers, we ask you to re; main our friends and we trust thu article will not cause bad feeling be; tween your country and ours.

We are, etc.,

JOHN LUM (Santo).

Fung Kuei (Vila)

Mr. Dudley Foley, who arrived in Kavieng, New Ireland a few months ago from Port Moresby, has conu menced business there as a motOK mechanic.