Letter to a newspaper, Way Lee
Date Published
: discrimination / racism, legal restictions, White Australia policy (WAP)
: Adelaide
: Adelaide
: 1900
Way Lee published an open letter in the South Australian Register in 1900 titled “The Chinese Question from a Chinaman’s point of view”.
In 1900, Way Lee published an open letter in the South Australian Register, Thursday 8 November 1900, p.5, entitled “From a Chinaman’s point of view”.
He put forth examples of discrimination against Chinese people from every State and highlighted this unjust and discriminatory policy is widespread. For example, he wrote “ A Chinaman who married a European wife, was refused re-entry to Melbourne, upon his return from a visit to China." This resulted in the forceful separation of a husband and wife.
He argued for equal treatment of Chinese migrants in Australia as he wrote "when Federation is complete it is to be hoped that, whatever laws are made affecting the Chinese and eastern nations, as soon as people are allowed to land and make their homes here they will be the subjects of the same law; that there will be no partiality or animosity shown in the administration; but that all will be treated alike."
