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Post by NZBC on Apr 25, 2008 11:14:27 GMT 12
WAR REFUGEES
CHINESE FAMILIES
LARGE PARTY¡¯S ARRIVAL
The second group of Chinese Refugees brought to Auckland by relatives in New Zealand, has arrived here. The party, comprising 30 Chinese, is one of the largest to have land at Auckland in recent years and is composed of 10 families. Twenty of the group are women, 13 of whom are married.
On arrival the families were greeted by the secretary of the Auckland Chinese Association, Mr Andrew Chong, who has been a leading figure in the move to allow his fellow-countrymen to bring their wives and young children from war zones in China into New Zealand. All the refugees were from the Canton area, in South China. The members of the party appeared cheerful and showed no signs of the privation which attended their departure from China shortly before the fall of Canton.
The refugees have been admitted for two years, subject to the signing of a 500 pound bond and the payment of a deposit of 200 pound, to be forfeited if conditions laid down are broken.
- from an article ¡°New Zealand Herald, 11 October 1939, Page 13¡±
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Post by NZBC on Apr 27, 2008 19:49:18 GMT 12
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Post by NZBC on Apr 27, 2008 19:51:06 GMT 12
Finding refuge
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Japan invaded China's Zhujiang Delta region in 1938. Understandably, this caused a great deal of anxiety for the Chinese men who were living permanently in New Zealand. The Chinese Consulate and the New Zealand Chinese Association urged the New Zealand Government to allow the wives and children (sixteen-year-olds and under) of these men to come here as war refugees.
But the Government made conditions - the men had to provide adequate housing for these refugees and give a sizeable bond - 200 pounds - towards the cost of repatriation after the war. And that wasn't all - any New Zealand-born children of the refugees would have to return to China after the war, with no right of re- entry to New Zealand.
A total of 249 wives and 244 children came here. The scheme was ended early in 1940 following complaints from European fruiterers - they were angered at the employment of Chinese women and children in the shops of their Chinese competitors'.
The photograph shows some of a party of thirty refugee women and children from the Canton area who arrived here in 1939.
More information
The following publication may be found on the Discovery Centre bookshelves or in Te Aka Matua Library and Information Centre on Level 4. Photographs of Te Papa collection items may be ordered from Images on Level 4.
Ng, James. (1993-1999). Windows on a Chinese past. Dunedin: Otago Heritage Books. Vols 1-4.
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Post by NZBC on May 7, 2014 21:57:29 GMT 12
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Post by NZBC on May 7, 2014 21:59:36 GMT 12
WAR REFUGEES CHINESE FAMILIES FIRST GROUP IN AUCKLAND MANY PRIVATIONS SUFFERED Tlio first) group of Chinese refugees brought to Now Zealand from the war zones by relatives in the Dominion has readied Auckland. The party comprises the wives of eight Chinese resident in Now Zealand, and several children. A larger pa rty of 70 will reach Wellington shortly, and others aro on the way. Subject to certain conditions wives of New Zealand-born Chinese aro admitted to the country in ordinary times. The present arrivals have been brought to the Dominion under special permits by Chinese resident here, but not born in New Zealand. The refugees will bo admitted for a period of two years, subject to tho signing of a £SOO bond and the payment of a deposit of £2OO, to be forfeit if conditions laid down are broken. Any children born to refugee wives whilo in New Zealand must leave at the expiry of tho two year term. All the refugees in the group which has arrived are from Kwang Tung Province, the majority from the vicinity of Canton. Many endured great hardship in reaching Hongkong, whence they embarked for New Zealand, via Australia. The journey from Canton to Kow Loon, whence the ferry to Hongkong leaves, normally takes about three hours by train. The refugees, however, had to travel on foot with their children, and had to make a wide detour to avoid the Japanese forces. Many took 10 days to reach Hongkong. Even then difficulty was found in seeming steamer accommodation as all vessels leaving Hongkong are crowded. Several of the party on reaching New Zealand still showed signs of the privations they had suffered. Only tivo families will remain in Auckland. The others will go to relatives in various parts of tho North Island. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23443, 5 September 1939, Page 12 paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19391011.2.99&srpos=25&e=-------10-NZH-21----0chinese+refugees-- |
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Post by NZBC on Jun 14, 2014 22:03:05 GMT 12
RICE RATIONS DOMINION CHINESE OPERATING OWN SCHEME
Though living far from his native habitat, the Chinese in New Zealand must have his daily bowl of rice. It is a most essential part of his diet, and to ensure equal distribution of the commodity throughout the Dominion the Chinese have formed an association and rationing is being introduced this week.
After the fall of Hongkong the Chinese in the Dominion were unable to secure supplies from the usual source. Several small shipments arrived from Australia, but soon the authorities there allowed rice to be exported to most of the Pacific islands. New Zealand, however, was not included in the list. Arrangements have now been made for the Chinese to be allocated their fair share of rice imported into this country under the control of the Government, but the distribution will be undertaken entirely by the newlyformed Chinese Food Merchant- Importers' Association, which has been duly incorporated. The rice will be handled by 21 Chinese merchants throughout the Dominion, chiefly in the four main centres.
Mr. Andrew Chong, of Auckland, who sponsored the scheme, and has been devoting much time and attention to ensure its success, stated today that the main purpose was to prevent monopoly and to distribute equally what rice stocks were available. The ration agreed upon in the meanwhile was 81b a person each week, but the rice would be sold in 561b bags, so that that quantity would have to last one individual for seven weeks. There was no differentiation in the adult and child ration. On this basis of rationing the stocks are believed to be sufficient until the new season's rice is available from Australia in May.
Ration cards containing six coupons are being issued, and to avoid duplication of supplies the Chinese have to get their merchant's stamp on their old ordinary ration books. The scheme has the approval of the Government and the Food Controller and is expected to achieve its object in allocating supplies on a fair and equitable basis. Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1942, Page 2
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