From the mid-1890s and throughout the first half of the 20th century a series of Chinese language newspapers were published in Sydney and Melbourne. Distributed through Australia and beyond, advertised in by European as well as Chinese Australian business, these newspapers published a wide range of news both local and international. This rich historical resource has only recently begun to be utilised as researchers with the necessary language skills (not merely Mandarin speakers) have begun to take up the challenge.
Some examples (in no particular order):
- Six months hard labor for failing Dictation Test – Tung Wah Times, 3 Aug 1912, p.7
- Refusal to use Australian flag made by Chinese – Chinese Times, 7 Jan 1911, p.9
- Serial novel; romance, mystery, murder – Chinese Republic News, 12 Sep 1925, p.5
- Complaint about female workers pay cut – Chinese Australian Herald, 6 Mar 1915, p.4
- Chinese man charged with taking opium to his white wife in hospital – Chinese Republic News, 30 Jun 1928, p.6
- Ad for Dentist – Charles I. Harris – Tung Wah Times, 29 Jul 1922, p.8
- Interracial couple hold gun to each other – Chinese Republic News, 28 Jul 1923, p.6
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