Wellington Philosophical Society. 529 



character and habit, and consequently classes of Chinebie might exist 

 that would be dangerous among our comniunit}-, while others might be 

 unobjectionable, and even desirable. There was, however, a wide gap 

 between Chinese and European races; and why should the colonies, 

 which had been secured with so much enterprise as a relief for the 

 overcrowding of our own poTcnt-country, be voluntarily surrendered to an 

 outside race ? The speaker also expressed himself strongly against the 

 establishment in our towns of special Ghinese quarters. 



Mr. Hulke said that IMi'. Phillips deserved great credit for having 

 had the courage to tackle the Chinese question ; but he did not think the 

 idea could be carried out. Wo could not legally or moralh- prevent their 

 coming. We ought, however, to make laws to protect us from anj* evil 

 that might arise from their presence. We could put a inaterial check 

 upon them by enacting that no foreigner miglit keep a retail shop — any 

 one wishing to do so nrust thus become naturalized ; and this was very 

 repugnant to the feelings of a Chinaman, for when once naturalized — his 

 pig-tail cut off — he woixld lose caste, and could not well return to China. 

 As gardeners they were a necessity. 



Mr. Phillips, in reply to Sir James Hector, said that the control of 

 the innnigration would be quite easy. A certain amount of fraud would 

 be committed in consequence of the resemblance of the Chinese to each 

 other ; but a percentage might be allowed for fraud. A certain amount 

 of evil existed under every law. There vi'ere, luckily, only certain treaty- 

 ports from which the Chinese could emigrate, and our consuls were there. 

 When the number of residential licenses for each colony had been 

 granted, no more would be issued. Each Chinaman with us then must 

 always possess his license. He might pass it on to a friend, but the 

 pimishment for such an offence (being without a license) would he de- 

 portation to China. The Chinese authorities would see the wisdom of 

 this course, as they did not allow us to travel much beyond the treat)- 

 ports. It was necessary for us to treat China courteously. She was our 

 nearest neighbour, and a powerful one too. Some future Chinese Tamer- 

 lane, issuing out of Northern Australia and sweeping down the Queens- 

 land coast, might lay every city in ashes. It was more iidvisable to culti- 

 vate feelings of friendship with so powerful a neighbour than feelings 

 of enmit}". Hostile feelings easily take root in the birth of young 

 nations. — In reply to Mr. Hulke, Mr. Phillips said he did not think 

 it right that we should insist upon the naturalization of the Chinese. 

 If we insisted upon that, then China could insist upon British residents 

 in China giving up their nationality and becoming Chinamen. 



Exhibits. — 1. A lar^^e series of the fossil plants of New 

 Zealand, collected by the Geological Siinej' Depa,i'tnient, was 

 exhibited. 



Sir James Hector stated that he had recenth', through the kindnes 

 of ilr. Forbes, at Christchurch, and Professor Parker, at Dunediu, had 

 an opportunit}' of examining the type-collections which had been sub- 

 mitted to and described by Professor von Ettingsliausen. He found that 

 there had been a considerable admixture of localities; and that when 

 these were rectified most of the discrepancies between the conclusions of 

 the learned pakeo-botaiiist and the views held by the Survey as to the 

 geological classification would disappear. The Professor's work was now 

 being translated from the original German, and would be laid before the 

 Society with a full commentary at an early meeting. 



2. Mr. McKay exhibited a curious growth of potato, con- 

 taining seven distinct parts and joined in the centre, and 

 weighing nearly 51b. It was grown at Patea. He also 

 showed a photograph of tlie specimen from different views. 

 34 



