11

A.—6

of a friendly nature, as in the case of the United States. The Conference further desires that Her Majesty's Government should induce the Governments of the Crown Colonies of Hongkong, Straits Settlements, and Labuan to at once prohibit the emigration of all Chinese to the Australasian Colonies unless they should belong to the classes above mentioned. The Chinese who may claim to be considered British subjects in those colonies are very numerous, and the certainty that their migration hither was prevented would give great and general satisfaction. The resolutions arrived at by the Conference, and which have been embodied in a draft Bill, are as follows: "1. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the further restriction of Chinese immigration is essential to the welfare of the people of Australasia. 2. That this Conference is of opinion that the necessary restriction can best be secured through the diplomatic action of the Imperial Government, and by uniform Australasian legislation. 3. That this Conference resolves to consider a joint representation to the Imperial Government for the purpose of obtaining the desired diplomatic action. 4. That this Conference is of opinion that the desired Australasian legislation should contain the following provisions : (1) That it shall apply to all Chinese, with specified exceptions ; (2) That the restriction should be by limitation of the number of Chinese which any vessel may bring into any Australasian port to one passenger to every 500 tons of the ship's burthen ; (3) That the passage of Chinese from one colony to another without consent of the colony which they enter be made a misdemeanour." The first and fourth resolutions were indorsed by all the colonies except Tasmania, who dissented, and Western Australia, who did not vote, while the second and third were carried unanimously. As a whole, therefore, they faithfully represent the opinion of the Parliaments and peoples of Australia. In conclusion, the Conference would call attention to the fact that the treatment of Chinese in the Australasian Colonies has been invariably humane and considerate, and that, in spite of the intensity of popular feeling during the recent sudden influx, good order has been everywhere maintained, so serious a crisis the colonial Governments have felt called upon to take strong and decisive action to protect their peoples, but, in so doing, they have been studious of Imperial interests, of international obligations, and of their reputation as law-abiding communities. They now confidently rely upon the support and assistance of Her Majesty's Government in their endeavour to prevent their country from being overrun by an alien race who are incapable of assimilation in the body politic, strangers to our civilisation, out of sympathy with our aspirations, and unfitted for our free institutions, to which their presence in any number would be a source of constant danger. Henby Paekes, President.

A Bill for the Bestbiction of Chinese Immigbation. (51° Victorias, 1888.) Whereas at a meeting of representatives of Australasian Governments, held at Sydney in the month of June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, it was amongst other things resolved that it was desirable that uniform Australasian legislation should be adopted for the restriction of Chinese immigration : And whereas the provisions of this Act were approved by such representatives as the basis of such uniform legislation : And whereas it is desirable to legislate on such basis accordingly : Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: — 1. In the construction of this Act the following words shall have the following meanings : " Chinese " shall include every person of Chinese race not exempted from the provisions of this Act; "vessel" shall include every ship, boat, or vessel; "master" shall include every person, other than a pilot, for the time being in command or charge of any vessel. 2. This Act shall not apply—(l) To any person duly accredited to any Australasian colony by any Government, as its representative, or on any special mission; (2) to the crew of any vessel not being discharged therefrom in the colony, and not landing in the colony, except in the discharge of duties in connection with such vessel; (3) to any persons, or any class of persons, who shall for the time being be exempted from the provisions hereof. 3. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council from time to time, by Proclamation to be published in the Government Gazette, to declare that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to any person or any class of persons to be mentioned in such Proclamation, either generally or for any time to be fixed by such Proclamation; and any such Proclamation may be revoked by the Governor in Council by Proclamation to be published in the Government Gazette. 4. The master of every vessel, upon arrival at any port or place in this colony from parts beyond the colony, and having any Chinese on board, shall forthwith, and before making any entry at the Customs, deliver to the Collector or other principal officer of Customs at such port or place a statement specifying, to the best of his knowledge and means of information, the number of Chinese on board such vessel, and the places of shipment and destination, and the name, calling, or occupation of each such Chinese; and for any default in the observance of this section such master shall, on conviction, be liable to a penalty of one hundred pounds. 5. No vessel shall enter any port or place in the colony having on board a greater number of Chinese than in the proportion of one Chinese to every five hundred tons of the tonnage of such vessel, such tonnage to be ascertained if the vessel shall be British by her certificate of registry, and if otherwise, or if such certificate shall not be produced, then according to the rules of measurement provided by "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1854." And if any vessel shall enter any port or place in the colony having on board any Chinese in excess of such number the owner, master, or charterer of such vessel shall, on conviction, be liable to a penalty of five hundred pounds for each Chinese in excess of such number. 6. Any Chinese who shall enter this colony by land without first obtaining a permit in writing from some person to be appointed by the Governor in Council shall be guilty of a misdemeanour,