CAGED HUMANS.

Grey River Argus, 11 July 1927, Page 5

CAGED HUMANS.

COOLIES FOR NEW HEBRIDES AUST R ALLAN S SHOCKED. (Australia - and N.Z. Cable Assn.) BRISBANE, July 9. At a largely attended meeting at Townsville Jetty, allegations were made that between four hundred and live hundred Annamesc coolies aboard the steamer Hui Sum, at present in Townsville Harbour, had been kidnapped. It was alleged at the meeting that the coolies were shanghaied from the L’lench Concession of Kwongchow. after being given drugged cigarettes, and wore consigned to mines in the New Hebrides. It was stated that a message was smuggled ashore from the vessel to the effect, that a sick man was thrown overboard a couple of days before the ship reached Townsville. Further allegations were that there was no doctor aboard, and the coolies were treated worse than pigs. The ship, from amidships, was stated to be a huge cage, with spiked steel lattice guards; and men were on duty with rifles and revolvers. The owners of the ship state that the coolies were not kidnapped, and that the only prccautious taken were those necessary to prevent any contravention of Australian immigration laws. The ship at present is anchored in Cleveland Bay. The Federal Government has instructed the Customs officer at Townsville to hold an inquiry, aud this officer states that the Chinese havcFrench and Chinese passports, which disposes of the shanghaieing story.