The Socio-economic experience of Chinese sojourners in Perth, Western Australia, 1900-1920

Anne Atkinson

Most Australian historical writing relating to Chinese immigration and settlement has perceived Chinese as passive victims of white racism. This thesis seeks to explain the Chinese experience itself. By focusing on the retention and continuation of Chinese cultural attitudes and behaviour within an alien and hostile environment, the Chinese emerge as active participants in the shaping of their experience. This thesis suggests that sojourning or remigration patterns, resulting from severe economic conditions within the migrant's home village, negative attitudes towards permanent emigration and the severity of Australian immigration policies, determined the working lives of most Chinese in Perth between 1900 and 1920. In social isolation from the host society, Chinese sought to retain Chinese cultural attitudes, values and behaviour. Assigned by the host society to five occupational areas - market gardening, laundry work, furniture manufacturing, small commercial enterprise and domestic service - Chinese continued traditional forms of ownership, management and labour organisation. An examination of four of these occupations shows that market gardens and laundries provided the 'ideal' environment in which to accommodate sojourning and the maintenance of cultural values. The proprietors of furniture factories were required to adapt traditional business practices to meet the requirements of the host society. However, within the factory itself traditional relationships between employer and employee were maintained. Chinese in commercial enterprises exhibited fewer characteristics common to sojourners but provided the services necessary for the Chinese community to retain cultural mores. To survive in a racially hostile environment Chinese demonstrated a willingness to adapt to Western practices. However, when economic survival was threatened, Chinese used a number of channels through which to protest. In these ways, Chinese in Perth between 1900 and 1920 were active participants in shaping their own socio-economic circumstances.

The Socio-economic experience of Chinese sojourners in Perth, Western Australia, 1900-1920

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