Chinese on the Rand

Southland Times, Issue 19387, 10 September 1904, Page 4

Chinese on the Rand

_ DISCUSSION IN THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph)" (Prom Our S&ecial*.Correspondent.) . WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. The adjourned debate on the question of Chinese labour on the Rund was continued by the Hon. F. Arkwright, who expressed the hope that the AttorneyGetoeral's motion of protest would not he agreed to by the Council,, and moved a hostile amendment to throw it out. He disclaimed being ah advocate of the interests of capitalists .and would object, for instance, to th§ -introduction* of Chi- ] nese into" 'this colony? He . regretted the j introduction of Asiatics into South Africa. It was another disturbing element in an already troubled country. At the I some time 11,6 would not vote for the motion, -cqhich was a vote of censure on Viscount Milner and British statesmen. He believed- that public opinion in South Africa was strongly in favour of Chinese fabour. ,• The question aSected South Africa only and no other part of the Empire. The introduction of Chinese would not oust British labour, but rather increase it. x The* Hon. G. McLean seconded the amendment, and urged that it must h'avo been a_ a last resort .that the British Government recommended the importation; of Chinese, and when the Government knew it would ibe -unpopular the necessity must have been imperative. It would ! be impolitic to introduce responsible government in the Transvaal at present, arid the passing of the motion might be. embarrassing* to those holding the government of Crown colonies. .7^.7 The Hon. S. L. Smith -thought the Council had ample justifica^iqn-..fqr,pass-ing a -notion of protest. . Asiatic labour, in the Hand was nothing less than, slavery. The Chinese would be under lock and key; they would never have, a day's liberty till .their return-, to China, and there was no provision for. appeal against . any injustice done them. The reason for introducing Chinese was because mine owners feared that white workers would introduce labour troubles. The first traits ..of the. introduction of Chinese were an outbreak; of disease and a revolt, necessitatinjg the calling out of the military. There would be serious trouble in the en-d. The interests of . the Transvaal were being sacrificed in order to satisfy the greed of a few people. If whites were employed their wages would -be spent in developing -the country ; the Chinese would take their money home and the large dividends would go , to England. The honour of the Empire wjas at stake and he* hoped that the people of Great Britainwould replace the Government which had been outwitted by capitalists. The Hon. H*. Scotland supported tho motion, but expressed the opinion that in introducing Chinese Viscount Milner was! alive to the needs of the Transvaal. , The debate, was then • adjourned, and the Council rose at 4._0 p.m.