The Sino-Japanese war and the call to action for Chinese NZers

From the first Opium War in 1839, China faced extreme pressure from overseas powers who wanted to control China’s domestic and foreign policy. The Opium War – which coined the phrase “gun boat diplomacy” – exposed the fragility of the Chinese empire and its Ching Dynasty government.

China’s situation spiralled downwards. There were multiple internal rebellions, the biggest of which was the Taiping rebellion, as well as ongoing foreign encroachment. In this environment Japan rose to become the dominant Asian power. Its first expression of power was in 1894-5 when China lost Korea as a tributary state in the first Sino-Japanese war. It was the start of many losses.

In 1931 Japan gained influence over Manchuria, and starting a process of steady territorial encroachment into northern China. On 13 August 1937 fighting broke out in Shanghai. It was then that the Chinese Government began to openly resist.

The Chinese New Zealand response

Chinese in New Zealand were keenly engaged with the politics of China. The series of small-scale conflicts with Japan that led up to the 1937 crisis had already fired up feelings. When China began to fight back, the community swung into action.

On 26 September 1937, representatives from 15 regions met in Wellington at the New Zealand Chinese National Salvation Conference 紐絲綸全屬救國代表大會. It was this conference that established the New Zealand Chinese Association (NZCA) 紐西蘭華僑聯合總會.

Although other Chinese groups had claimed to be nationally representative, this was the first group that actually was. Branches were formed in Auckland, Canterbury, Otago-Southland, and Wellington. There were also regional sub-branches in Gisborne, Greymouth, Hamilton, Levin, Manawatu, Nelson, Ohakune, Otaki, Timaru, Wairarapa and Wanganui. The head office was based in Wellington.

This level of organisation was astonishing given that the Chinese population had been steadily shrinking under the Government’s restrictive immigration policies. In 1936 the number of Chinese had shrunk to just under 3,000, about 0.2% of the total New Zealand population.

One of the first decisions of the new national body was to impose a compulsory levy on all community members in support of the war effort. The decision was controversial as it required a tithe of 10% for wage earners and 10 shillings a week for employers. Anyone who did not pay would have their name published in the New Zealand Chinese Weekly News. The only exceptions to the levy were members of the Chee Kung Tong (link), who had their own fundraising systems.

The levy caused much ill-feeling in the general community . Many couldn’t afford it and it caused hardship within families. The administrative aspects were also extremely challenging and unpleasant. However, according to an NZCA report of 30 July 1946, contributions totalled £230,920 3s 9d. New Zealand’s donations were among the highest per capita of any overseas Chinese community.  

• Images of Human Integrity / the musical programme

The lobby for families in China

The other crucial activity during the war was NZCA’s lobby to allow Chinese men in New Zealand to bring out their wives and children who were trapped in war-torn China.

Ongoing negotiations with the New Zealand Government enabled the arrival, and later settlement, of xxx wives and children. However, the criteria imposed by the Government was harsh.  The conditions only provided for dependent children under 16, and imposed a fee of £200 per family. Husbands were also bonded £500 to ensure the return to China of any children born in New Zealand, alongside their mothers and siblings, when the war ended. This meant that only the wealthy could afford to bring their wives and children to New Zealand.

• Link to war refugee section

Marion St image - do we have one?

After the war, the left over proceeds from the members’ levy funded a building in Wellington’s Marion Street that became a shelter for elderly Chinese men whose families had been left in China.

More than 88 years after its incorporation, the New Zealand Chinese Association (link to about?) is still active with 14 regional branches and 1 sub-branch in Invercargill.

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