LETTERS TO TUE EDITOR.
AUSTRALASIA AND ASIA.
[TO TUN EDITOR OP TR@ " SPECTATOR:]
SrA,—I venture to deprecate the alarmist character of the letter entitled "The Real Significance of the White Australia' Question" which appears in your issue of the 13th inst.
No one would dream from reading Mr. Bean's letter that Japan had actually made repeated offers to Australia to enter into some treaty, or arrangement, controlling the emigration of Japanese to Australia, so as to secure to Australia every- thing she desired; and that Australia, instead of availing herself of the courteous offers made by Japan, preferred to deal with the whole subject of the restriction of immigration in a way which was clearly shown to be offensive to the public spirit of the people of Japan.
In various ways I have from time to time tried to stay the legislation of Australia in regard to this matter, and have always refused to accept such legislation as representing the instincts and intellect of the people. There are none more proud of the Empire, nor more anxious to live up to its best traditions, than those living under the sunny skies of Australia. It may take Australians some time to recognise mistakes in matters of big Empire policy, but sooner or later the mistakes will be recognised and rectified.
Mr. Bean can do good work by urging on his political friends the wisdom of removing causes of friction between Australia on one hand, and Japan and other Asiatic countries on the other hand. There are three things that need to be done :— First, the substitution of arrangements with Japan, &c., controlling immigration into Australia, for the present legis- lation with its offensive racial discriminations.
Second, the absolute repeal of the clause in the Postal Act, which by forbidding the postal authorities to give a mail contract to any company on whose vessels even a single coloured man may be employed casts a stigma on all coloured races, and adds to the cry for a "white Australia" one for a "white ocean" also.
Third, the repeal of the clause in the Preference Treaty with South Africa which lessens the preference given on sugar when such sugar has been produced by coloured labour.
I think that sometimes public men in the United Kingdom carry a little too far the grand principle of non-interference in the affairs of the sister-countries by failing to give the people of those sister-countries the benefit of their fuller knowledge and larger grasp of the affairs of the Empire. I doubt if Australia would have passed the legislation to which I have referred had its full bearing on the affairs of the Empire been made clear. The first thing for Australia to do, it appears to me, is to put into evidence the proof that she shares with the people of the United Kingdom themselves every sympathy with the advancement of all nations, irrespective of race, colour, or creed.
The clearer it becomes that the special circumstances of Australia call for special legislation in the matter of immigra- tion, the clearer it also becomes that such legislation should be on the lines of the utmost courtesy, and it speaks volumes for the generosity and wisdom with which the great Empire of Japan is governed that its Ministers have all along been ready to deal with Australia in the most friendly way. I submit that the people of Australia are not in the least fear as to Great Britain, in a supreme hour, failing in her duty towards any part of the Empire ; but there are many of them who do view with deep regret the fact that certain Australian legislation tends to create Empire difficulties that more courteous methods would obviate.—I am, Sir, &c.,
EDWARD PULSFORD.
The Devonshire Club, London.
[Senator Pulsford's wise words as to the need of treating the Japanese Government with the utmost courtesy and tact will, we trust, receive a large measure of support in the Commonwealth.—ED. Spectator.]
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