“Friday, July 22, 1881,” Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, July 22, 1881.

“Friday, July 22, 1881,” Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, July 22, 1881.

Sydney smallpox outbreak of 1881

The smallpox outbreak catalysed efforts to restrict Chinese immigration to the colony on a parliamentary level, culminating in the Influx of Chinese Restriction Act 1881. There was significant debate surrounding the particulars of this bill. This editorial supported both immigration restrictions and efforts to stop the spread of smallpox, but argued that the bill unwisely conflated the two.

The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, July 22, 1881.

National Library of Australia

newspaper editorial