1080 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [PART V
1906 (c. 2), amended in 1907 (c. 14), which was merely, it
seems, a demonstration of sympathy with the Cape protest,
against Chinese labour, as Chinese do not resort in large
numbers to the Colony.
§ 2. BrITISH INDIAN AND JAPANESE IMMIGRATION
Much more serious issues have arisen from the treatment
of British Indians on the one hand and Japanese on the
other. The former naturally claim freedom of locomotion as
part of the advantages of Empire ; the latter are, as subjects
of a first-class power, and since 1905 in close alliance with
Great Britain, determined upon treatment consistent with
their just rights and dignities. On the other hand, it is not
merely in the interest of the Dominions, but of the Empire,
to keep the Dominions pure and free from race mixture,
which would hardly be likely to improve their prospects of
development as great free communities.
In 1896 the whole question came forward in an urgent
manner in Australia. In this year, as a result of a Premiers’
Conference in March at Sydney, Western Australia alone
being unrepresented, it was agreed to extend the anti-Chinese
measures to other Asiatics, and New South Wales, South
Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand all presented Bills to
effect thisend ; Tasmania exempted British subjects, and New
Zealand British Indians from the provisions of the Bills. The
Bills were reserved, and the matter was discussed at the
Colonial Conference of 1897, when Mr. Chamberlain, in welcom-
ing the delegates, laid down the following principles :— 2
One other question I have to mention, and only one, that
is, I wish to direct your attention to certain legislation which
is in process of consideration, or which has been passed by
some of the Colonies, in regard to the immigration of aliens,
and particularly of Asiatics.
I have seen these Bills, and they differ in some respects
' Cf. Reeves, State Experiments in Australia and New Zealand, ii, 325-64.
See also Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates, 1901-2, pp. 3497 seq. ;
Parl. Pap., 1901-2, Nos, 2, 83, A. 15, 18 ; Quick and Garran, Constitution
of Commonwealth, pp. 623 seq. ; South Australia'Parl, Pap., 1896, No. 38.
* Parl. Pap., C. 8596, pn. 12.
