Coloured Domestics.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 67, 29 August 1911, Page 7

Coloured Domestics.

IMPORTED ISLANDJ3OYS. A “ DOG-IN-THE MANGER ” UNION Auckland, August 25 For some time past Auckland mistresses, faced by the problem of obtaining efficient help in the house, have been getting boys from Niue Island, which is one of New Zealand’s dependencies. They are engaged for about three years’ service, and payment is made not to the “boys” but to their parents. The “boys” are splendid servants; they are obedient and willing, and readily adapt themselves to all the requirements of domestic duties.

There are possibly, a dozen or more of these “boys" performing domestic duties here, and if more could be obtained they would be snapped up by people who have learned of their usefulness; hence the alarm expressed by the Auckland Union of Domestic Servants. At their last meeting it was stated that mistresses were importing boys from the island on a three-years’ agreement, and it was stated that the wages paid were only about a quarter of what mistresses were compelled to give to girls. The salary was not paid to the “boys" but to their patents in the island, and this was considered to be resorting to the blackslavery of old. During the discussion it was mentioned that Queensland had stopped the Kanaka traffic simply because it was slavery, and it was felt that if this kind of work was introduced into New Zealand a protest would be raised from every Labour Union. A letter will be sent to the Member for Wellington East, asking him to raise the question in the House as to whether the Government are cognisant of this importation of black labour.