At the recent Intercolonial Conference held at Sydney to consider various methods relating to the Australasian colonies, where federal action was deemed desirable, one of the questions dealt with was the action of the Government of the Grown Colony of Western Australia in aiding Chinese It was The following is the memorial adopted and forwarded to Lord Kimberley, and signed by the representatives of the several colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, New Zealand, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania To the Right Hon, the Eanuor Knperiey, ed members of a Conference ralasian Governments, ing in Sydney, and the duly accredited sentatives of the colonies named
respectfully approach your a a 9, har Ment Gracious Majesty's for the Colonies, lord Asa preliminary explanation, we desire to point out that the computed popular the six colonies we represent 2,500,000, while the population of the Crown Colony of Western Australia is ander 30,000 sluis. In all the six colonies agent measures hat been pass ferent times to re the inf He had Chiveso immigrants even at their own Queenan sw eon in New South Wales a similar Bill was Years age, though it was subsequently lost passed by iris Lei Antal y net Hob Inthe Legislateve Council; and in South Austr liar measure twas twice passed by the House of Atsembly Inst year. The Present Conference has been convened to consider, among other things, the migration, and a rosel agreed to, "recommending uniform legislation on the part of all the colonies to restrict "the influx of Chinese into these colonies."
It is while sitting in conference that we Jearn for the first time that Colonial Secretary's Office, Perth, '28th December, 1880.
The Legislature having sanctioned the introduction of Chinese immigrants into the colony at the public expense, tue Government prepared to receive applications from settlers who may be desirous of employing such immigrants as farm labourers, shepherd gardeners, mechanics, or domestic servente application to be made in writing on the following form, copies of which may be obtained at the' offices of the Colonial: Scores tary and the various resident magistrates, iffy immigrants must be applied for befor action can be taken by Government, The immigrants to be taken over from the Govern. mont Iuuigeation sgout immediately on arrival free of expense to the Government, By his Exoelleucy's canmand, Colonial Secretary.
[The form referred to contains various columns for the descripti the number of persons required, the pi
for which employment is guaranteed, the there they are to be employed, the period wages offered, &c.]
Wo are satisfied that the publication of the fact that the Government of Westera Australia is employing the publio revenue for the introduction of natives of Ul to occupy the jous avenues of Iabour—a course never at any time adopted by any of the Colonies under Parliamentry Government—will create throughout the rest of Australasia strong feeling of public disapprobation, The objection to the Chinese is not altogether one of prejudice of colour or race, but is founded in a rational view of the dangers to these British communities which mi the course of time flow from a people numbering more than 400,000,000, Jaws, reli dd of ngender among the of publio almost, Toad to the enactment of laws imparing i on communication betwoon her ports and other Australasian ports, It cannot woted people who object to direct from posit growing up in the colonies to raw more closely together the ties of political relationship, it is a matter for deep regret that the smallest colony of the group should take " course so calculated to cut hor off from mpathy and to isolate her in her progress, to urge upon your lordship that the action of the Government of Western, Australia cannot be regarded as other than opposed to the common interest in the advancement of these colonies, and it be continued, it must be attended jnences which it is highly desirable avoid; and we join in an ear hope that Her Majesty's Goveroment will take such may be deemed expedient to procure ite reversal.
have the honour to remain, your Lord-ith ful and obedient servants, Hexrx Parkes, Colovial Secretary of New South Wales, Chairman of Conference, Gnanast Benny, Chief Secretary, and Wriitaar K. Var, Attorney-General, Victor Janes Watsox, Colonial 'I'reasurer, New South Wales.
Trowas Dick, Colonial Secretary, New Zealand,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.