Post by NZBC on Aug 5, 2012 20:16:09 GMT 12
CHINESE LOSSES. Local Community Anxious For Relatives. PROPERTY ALREADY GONE. "The fall of Canton and its destruction by fire has meant heavy loss to the Chinese community in Auckland most of whom had homes and property in the city." said Mr. Stanley Chan secretary of the Chinese Association this morning. The evacuation of the city was ordered several weeks ago. and most ol the Cantonese in Auckland, who comprise nearly the whole of the Chinese community, do not know yet when their families are or even it they are safe. Mr. Chan said that his home was blown to pieces before the fire when the Japanese were bombarding tlie city but his family were safe in a village about 30 miles away. He does not know whether they are still in the province or have taken refuge in Hongkong, and like the rest of his compatriots in New Zealand, is anxiously waiting for news by mail. Although they are perturbed about the danger to their own relatives, the Chinese have no fear regarding the outcome of the war. according to Mr. Chan They have the utmost confidence it their leader General Chiang Kai-shek and the people will fight the invasion to the finish. The loss of Canton and other coastal towns was expected, he said, for they could not retaliate against the long range naval artillery of the invader. Inland. however, the defenders hat proved that they could hold their own as in Jehol and other parts of North China. Chinese Confident. The Chinese were united, full of courage and confidence in themselves and their leader, and could not be beaten on their own ground inland, said Mi Chan. .He and his fellow countrymen in Auckland had no fear that they would lose the war which they were fighting in the interest of the whole World against Japan's imperial ambitions. There could be no talk of peace, he said. until China was free from the invader. Before the war began the Chinese were willing to listen to peace proposals but now would light to the last man. IThe Auckland Chinese were regularly sending money for the assitance of the defending armies, each man contributing a portion of his weekly income.Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 254, 27 October 1938, Page 9