CORRESPONDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 12 July 1920, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

ALIEN IMMIGRATION QUESTION.. (To the Editor.)

Sir, —After perusing, the last Council meeting’s "report .in Saturday night s issue I have come- to the conclusion that ’Cr. Harleys suggestions re the alien question, if earned out, will open up a brilliant future for New Zealand. Cheap labour beiipg the main issue, the importation of niggers is to fill tlie whole bill. Cr. Harley informs Cr. Stringer that they (the niggers) are expert builders. As the building trade requires training and skill and the black men will be able to build all our houses, we must class them as skilled and unskilled '' alike, which leaves two classes to. operate, viz., employer and nigger. Cr. Harley adds: There are to be new laws framed in order to deal with this lower type of human being, and to use his own words: “If they get out of hand, .string thorn no; that is all they are worth-” What a beautiful sentiment. No, Cr, Harley; stringing them up reminds one of the conditions- under black slavery. What does Cr, Harley expect will become of our own labour classes? As a natural corollary under the nigger system they w’ill all cease to exist Perhaps that is all they are worth. ’ Does Cr. Harley realise that the. labour conditions of to-day are only a result of the main eyil,_ “exploitation”*' When that evil ie remedied Labour conditions will adjust themselves. The masses are not going to be crushed by. the introduction of black labour. Our boys who have returned from the fihnt thought they were fighting for justice and liberty; not for the black man, as was the case in South Africa. Cr. Harley’s talk is oulv a switch of the tail end' of the tornado that has been raging for hundreds of years. Perhaps the workens of Nelson will remember those who voted against the amendment supporting restrictive immigration laws— Crs. Harley Baigent, Marris, and Edwards. ' Thanking you, Mr. Editor,

I am, etc., G. L. CHITTENDEN