Chinese not to Occupy Choice Land

Evening News (Sydney)

5 March 1885

Chinese Tobacco Trade - Tumut, Wednesday.

A crowded meeting of the Tumut Plain farmers was held in the Royal Hotel on Tuesday night.

The tenents of Mr. R. M. Shelley, J.P., entertained him at a banquet, and presented him with an illuminated address, expressive of the pleasure which is felt at his having refused to renew leases to Chinese tobacco growers on his estate. Mr. Shelley received quite an ovation.

He replied in warm terms, and he thanked his tenants for the presentation, and the appreciation of his action in the matter.

Mr. Michael M'Namara was the chairman of the meeting, which was a most enthusiastic one.

Mr. Shelley said the Chinese were to be treated with kindness, but they were not, to occupy choice lands which were wanted by Europeans.