CHINA AWAKENING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2560, 22 July 1909, Page 3

CHINA AWAKENING.

ACTIVITY IN WELLINGTON

A HUMBLE BEvUNNJNG

There have not been wanting persons sufficiently imaginative to forsee Chinese missionaries setting, out westward to convert the Caucasian heathen. But whatever the future* may produce, one thing is clear : China has resolved that her people shall be first well-informed as to "Western ways and customs, Western speech and literature, and particularly English. It is recognised in Europe that a man may travel about without difficulty from Harlingen to Stamhoul if he knows French, and it is well understood in the East that English will cary a man from Jerusalem to Sakhalien. The Japanese have recognised this, and English is one of the leading subjects in their schools. It is quaint English, but it serves. The Chinese have now realised the value of the language also. The renaissance of China called for a better acquaintance with the language than is imparted in missionary schools. Said Mr. Yungliang Hwang, Chiiiese Consul, to a “Post” representative last week: “Not only is it an instruction to Consuls, but to ministers also, to see that Chinese in foreign parts are thoroughly well versed in Western ways—reading, writing, speech, and literature.” CHINESE DIMINISHING IN NEW ZEALAND. It was pointed out to Mr. Hwa,ng that the Chinese were a diminishing quantity in New Zealand. “I know it,” ho remarked, “and I am sorry, for the - sake of my people, that it is so.” “Then it is not a fact that a club has been started in Wellington to teach them English and Western learning?” “It is. It is called Chung Hwah Hwei Hwang—or Chinese Association.” “Is that not with the object of enabling the Chinese to better adapt themselves to the environment in which they live?” “That is a secondary—quite secondary —consideration. feel their ignorance, of course, of European habits of thought and life; but all I have met can read and write in their own language; a few can speak English very well; more can speak it more or less indifferently; others can speak only a sort of ‘pidgin,’ and others again cannot apeak it at all. There are those who came here young, or are children of Chinese parents. These are insufficiently acquainted with reading and writing Chinese, although they speak tho language well. enough.” “Cantonese?” “Why, yes; Cantonese.” “Can you speak it?" “I speak Mandarin or Pekingese. When ~I want to be particularly explicit, then I "have to speak in English, and it is interpreted into Cantonese to my hearers. But I can speak it a little, and am improving. However, "generally s/peaking, .my Cantonese hearers understand me very well. We want to improve them. In fact, that is tho duty now of the Ministers and Consuls, so that the Chinese, when they return, should be able to diffuse Western ideas. We are forming a library of hooks on modern subjects, written in Chinese. These will be at the disposal of members of the new club. They will enable them to keep pace with current Western thought and action.” MODERN NOTIONS.

“Will the Classics also be included—the old, old literature?” “That is not* tho idea. We wish these people to go back to China, as they will go back, ready for the great opportunities waiting for them in their own land. We want them to get all that is good out of the West, and to reject what is bad or unsuitable. We wish to introduce no foreign vices. Wo have our own, and they are sufficient to combat. Anything we can gather in the West that will help us to realise our ideals—that we are aifcer. You in the West will look to China for markets. You have done so in the past,, and have forced open our ports in the days gone by. Now. you are welcome. Very , well, then; when you come to us you will require to deal, with a people who know your wants and how to supply them, your business methods and how to comply with them. We are committed to internal reform, and we are accomplishing it. I observe that Mr. Blecliynden, a gentleman evidently well acquainted with China, wonders where an honest man, equal to tho present Chinese director of the Hanyang iron works is to bo found if the present head of the undertaking dies. Well, I say this: If China can produce one honest,, capable administrator. she can, out of her four hundred millions, produce others. China is experiencing an intellectual awakening that must have far-reaching results for the West. Our little club is hut the reflection of that awakening in New Zealand. We cannot hope for great things from it at present, bait I feel — we feel—that our people will derive something from the institution that will enable us to take our places with our fellow countrymen in the Greiat China that is vet to be.”