CHINESE LABOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12657, 10 September 1904, Page 6

CHINESE LABOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

JTHE DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [by telegraph. —press association.] Wellington, Friday. In the Legislative Council this afternoon the debate on the Attorney-General's motion expressing regret at the introduction or Chinese labour into the Transvaal iw»s resumed. Mr. Arkwright regretted the introduction of Chinese as a disturbing element in a country wh»re there were already many disturbing elements, but he hoped the motion would not be passed, inasmuch as it was tantamount to a vote of censure upon the British Government respecting the Chinese question.' The Council should be very cautious before passing such resolutions. It did not seem to him that this question was an Imperial on© in the broad sense. It did not, he thought, affect New Zealand or any other part of the Empire. So far from interfering with the employment of British labour, tho introduction of Chinese would, lie thought, open a wide field for British labour. He concluded by moving the previous question, viz., that the question bo now put. Mr. Mclean seconded the amendment. It must have been as a last resource that the British Government and Lord Milner recommended the introduction oi Chinese labour into the Transvaal, when the, .British Government knew it would be an unpopular movement, and yet sanctioned it. The necessity for the employment of Chinese to keep the mining industry going for the benefit of the country must have been felt to be imperative. Instead of passing a resolution that would embarrass the Transvaal Government, they should sympathise with that Government in some way. There was no fear of the Transvaal being overrun by Chinese, as the men imported had to be deported at tho close of their term of indenture. Mr Lee Smith, in supporting the original motion, described the employment of indentured Chinese labour as real outright slavery." Not only were the Chinese to be under the charge of the mine-oWners during labour hours, but after labour they and their wives arid families were to be placed under lock and key in compounds. i There was no provision for holidays for these people, and at the end of their term ■ they were to be allowed no rights in the country, but were to be shipped back to the place whence they came. The Athenian and the Roman slaves were allowed to acquire property in the country, but not these indentured Chinese. The whole reason ot shortage of labour was that the mining magnates of the Rand wanted cheap labour. As soon as the war (which, he believed, the mining magnates encouraged) was over, the wages for native labour were materially reduced. He referred to the danger of revolt by hordes of Chinese imported into South Africa, to emphasise the unwisdom of the ordinance sanctioned by the Imperial Government. The whole interests of the Transvaal and Orange' Colony were being sacrificed for the purpose of benefiting a few mine-owners Everything required for the Chinese would be imported, and no benefit to the Transvaal would result from the expenditure upon the imported labour. The introduction of Chinese would be disastrous in the long run to the Transvaal, to Great Bri- ' tain, and to the whole of the colonies. It was both a blunder and a crime. It was a mockery of civilisation and a blot upon our escutcheon. Mr. Scotland said he was unable to speak as to the necessities of the Transvaal, but believed Lord Milner was thoroughly alive to the interests of the country, and •would not have advocated the importation of Chinese if he did not believe it would be for the welfare of the country. He pointed out that the Transvaal was not the only place where slavery existed. This colony ought to mind its own business. It ■was not competent to express an opinion upon the needs of South Africa. He would support the Attomev-General's motion. Mr. Jones moved the adjournment of the debate until Tuesday. The Council rose at twenty minutes to five.