‘COOLIE TRADE’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32849, 24 February 1972, Page 13

‘COOLIE TRADE’

Repeal of laws (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright/ WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.

The House of Representatives yesterday voted to repeal nineteenth century laws by which cheap labour was brought in from China and Japan. Under the laws, thousands of coolies came to the United States, many of them to help build railways' across the western mountains and plains. The House Judiciary Committee, in its report on the repeal bill, said that the economic, social and political circumstances which prompted the so-called “coolie trade” legislation in the nineteenth century no longer prevail. The committee said that the legislation served no useful purpose in view of general civil rights laws subsequently passed by Congress. “It also represents an unnecessary and disparaging reminder of a past historical period which potentially could be the cause of misunderstanding as to the present relationships between the people of the United States and the peoples of Oriental countries,” the report said. The repeal measure, voted on while President Nixon was in Peking, had been passed by the House during the 1960 s but was not acted on by the Senste* Sponsors were hopeful the upper chamber would complete Congressional action later this year.