Chinese Labour.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7794, 19 March 1904, Page 2

Chinese Labour.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ] (Per Press Association.) Melbotthne, March 18. In tke House M.r Thompson resumed the debate on Mr Watson's " Chinese " motion. He said the only safeguard against the inroads o£ the Dutch population would be the settling of large numbers of Britishers. He should, however, merely express the beliet. To make a protest implied they had power to interfere. | Mr Johnson thought the wording oE the motion was too strong and moved an amendment that the House views with extreme regret the proposal to import Chinese to the R*nd, regarding the step as prejudicial to the best interests o£ the Commonwealth. Mr- Hughes complained that Australia's sacrifices to the Empire had been made^ in - vain' if foreign mine owners were allowed to work the mines with Chinese labour. Mr Lonsdale thought that the motion was not strong enough and moved a further amendment mat the House records its belißvo that the proposed introduction, of indentured Chinese labour to the Transvaal was fraught with peril to the Empire and hopes it will not be carried into effect. The Hon. Mr Kingston urged tba necessity of unarimity, and ask6d the House to pas 3 the same resolution as the Senate and congratulated Government on its aation. There was nothing in the objection to the Commonwealth having followed the Premier of New Zealand. Mr Seddon wa=i worthy of every respect for hia great achievements, and all honour j was due to him. It would bs a happy day whan they found both tho Commonwealth and the New Zealand Governments co-operating thua in the best interest of Australian democracy. It would have been meanness indeed not to have supported the war, but what a shame it was to think that Australian blood and treasure had been shed and spent to enable Chinese to be brought in and take bread out of the mouths of the British people, and all for the private greed of Ike mine owners. The result would be the loss of the realisation of hopes rightly. entertained by members, of the Empire, if the proposals were consummated. It would force them to the conclusion that however much Uritam appreciated those who rendered her service in time Or need she, in. piping times o£ peace, forgot them in preference to those who hud no claim on tlie Empire—Chinese aliens who never could benefit the nation, whose employment would prevent the safeguarding of British interests in South Africa by the settlement of a large white population. Were thoy to tolerate proposals which meant no work for Australian or Britisher, it meant they would be put on one side for aliens who had proved themselves undesirable in this country. It would be a calamity if the proposals were carried out, causing.disappointment at bitterness reused by many reasons, most of all by ingratitude. He hoped not a day would pass without their completing an agreement between both Houses, so that their opinion could be flashed to the four corners of the world. The only constitutional way to express deep Australian feeling was by this resolution, and so might the world speedily learn that Australia spoke with one voice—loud and deep. , The debate and House ad]onrned till Tuesday.