Anti-Chinese Leagues
Date Published
Numerous formal groups were formed to oppose Chinese immigration and/or businesses.
While meetings and lobbying took place in the 1850s and 1860s on the goldfields that produced anti-Chinese laws. It was only in the 1880s that formal organisations were created to either limit Chinese migration or to oppose Chinese businesses operations.
Bundaberg Anti-Chinese League formed May 1887.
Clermont anti-Chinese league medal, 1887.
Anti-Chinese literature, Castlemaine.
Brisbane Conference of Anti-Chinese Leagues in 1887.
The Brisbane Courier, 29 July 1887, p.6 & Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, 11 August 1887, p.2.
Anti-Chinese literature Castlemaine, 1878.
"An anti-Chinese League is to be established." Charters Towers
The Brisbane Courier, 21 December 1878, p.4.
"Steps are being taken to form an anti-Chinese league here." - after attempt to take 50 Chinese workers from Cooktown to Sydney as strike breakers.
The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, 30 November 1878. p.7.
"Some conversation took place in regard to the formation of an anti-Chinese league, altogether independent of thc present difficulties between the A.H.N. Company and their employes ..." Brisbane
Morning Bulletin, 27 December 1878, p.2.
"a proposal which was made by one of their number to wind up their business" - rejected
The Brisbane Courier, Fri 9 January 1880, p.2.
"It may interest our readers to know that the objects of the Townsville anti-Chinese League are as follows :- (1.) To promote the interests of European lapour by discouraging the influx of Chinese. (2.) To co-operate with other colonial leagues in their endeavours to make the Chinese one of such national im portance that, through the influence of the Colonial Legislatures, the Imperial Govern ment may enact such laws as would effectually stop competition by Chinese, or other alien races, in the trades and manufacturers common to Europeans residing in the Australian colonies. (3.) To petition the Queensland Government, in conjunction with all Queens land anti-Chinese Leagues, for an immediate further increase in the poll-tax affecting Chinese immigration, without any refund under any consideration whatever. (4.) To use its best endeavours to influence all classes of Europeans residing in the Australian colonies to abstain from dealing, directly or indirectly, with Chinese, or to encourage their occupation of premises or lands by leasing unto them any premises or 1ands, or in any way assisting them to positions which will enable then to compete with white labourers. (5.) To obtain an immediate repeal of the present Act dealing with the introduction of Chinese into Queensland, by the substitution of one in every way more stringent in its operations, and better calculated to promote objects for which the anti-Chinese League is formed."
The Capricornian, 16 October 1886, p.18.
"Anti-Chinese leagues have been established in the following places: Brisbane, Bundaburg, Gympie, Charters Towers, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Clermont, Barcaldine, Mackay, Herberton, Watsonville, Cooktown."
