CHINESE REFUGEES ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND MUCH HARDSHIP ENDURED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)AUCKLAND, September 4,

The first group of Chinese refugees brought to New Zealand from war zones by relatives in the Dominion has reached Auckland. The party comprises the wives of eight Chinese resident in New Zealand and several children. A larger party of 70 will reach Wellington shortly, and others are on the way.

Subject to certain conditions, wives of New Zealand-born Chinese are admitted to the country in ordinary times. The present arrivals have been brought to the Dominion by Chinese resident her.c, but not born in New Zealand, under special permits. The refugees will be admitted for a period of two years, subject to the signing of a £500 bond and payment of a deposit of £200, to be forfeited if the conditions laid down are broken. Any children born to refugee wives while in New Zealand must leave at the expiry of the 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 Hong Kong, whence they embarked for New Zealand via Australia. The journey from Canton to Kowloon, whence the ferry to Hong Kong 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 Japanese forces. Many took 10 days to reach Hong Kong. Even then difficulty was found in securing steamer accommodation, as all vessels leaving Hong Kong are crowded.

Several of the party on reaching New Zealand still showed signs of the privations they had suffered. Only two families will remain in Auckland; the others will go to relatives in various parts of the North Island.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1939, Page 16

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19390905.2.129&cl=search&srpos=80&e=-------100--1----0chinese+wives--&st=1

Tags: Refugees 5 September 1939

The accompanying article in the Herald 11 October 1939:

"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."

Chan Kum Show was one of the men folk who travelled back to China to assist the women and children to make the voyage to New Zealand, via Sydney. Interviews with members of the Chan family showed  that the families left the Hargee Village, and walked the railway line route to Hong Kong. They weren't the only ones to follow that route, travelling at night and hiding during the days. The familes travelled with young children and they were given shelter and food from villages that they passed on the way to Hong Kong.Guides had been employed from Kwong Yee Loong in Hong Kong.

http://tpo.tepapa.govt.nz/ViewTopicExhibitDetail.asp?TopicFileID=0x000ae203http://tpo.tepapa.govt.nz/ViewTopicExhibitDetail.asp?TopicFileID=0x000ae203

TWO YEARS' RESPITE - SOME Chinese FAMILIES ENTRY AT Auckland (B3- Telegraph—Press Association.)

Auckland This Day,

Seven families, comprising Chinese mothers and children, numbering about 30, have arrived at Auckland to join their fathers. They come from an area near Canton which was recently subjected to heavy Japanese bombardment.

Becoming anxious for the welfare of their families the Chinese fathers in Auckland obtained permission from the Government for their wives and, families to come to New Zealand for two years.  Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 87, 10 October 1939, Page 10

Tags: 1938 Refugees