TRINIDAD’S PEOPLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 813, 6 November 1929, Page 15

TRINIDAD’S PEOPLES

MANY RACES INHABIT ISLAND CONTENTED EAST INDIANS In no other country or colony of such small size can so many races and nationalities be found living together in harmony as on the British island of Trinidad off the coast of Venezuela. Caucasian, East Indian, Carib Indian and Chinese have formed a prosperous cosmopolitan community. More than 126,000 East Indians live in Trinidad, a third of the entire population. They have been coming for nearly a century, and their presence has meant both a great benefit and a problem for tbe local lawmakers. Abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1534 led to the introduction of East Indian indentured labour, as the freed negro slaves refused to work even for wages on the sugar, cocoa and other estates, preferring to take the small holdings granted them by the Government. The British Government appointed emigration agents at Calcutta to regulate the exportation of all able-bodied coolies, or labourers, who desired to cross the sea in search of work at wages not obtainable in India. Upon arrival they bound, or indentured themselves to work for a specified number of years on plantations to which they were assigned by the colonial Government. Great care was exercised in making these allotments not to separate families or friends, and in the event of a marriage of a coolie woman at any time during her indentured term, she was allowed to follow her husband to the place of his employment. Planters who desired the services of these labourers were obliged to execute a contract with the Government, agreeing to provide food, clothing, suitable lodging and medical attendance for them. The coolies worked six days of seven and one-half hours each day in every week, receiving 13 cents a day. The period of indenture service varied from three to five years, after which the labourer could either voluntarily reindenture himself for a further period of five years or receive free passage home to India with his family, or if he so desired, and if his services during the indentured period were satisfactory, he was assigned a small freehold of land by the Trinidad Government. The indentured period ceased in 190 S, as there was then a sufficiency of labour. While many families returned to India, a great number not only voluntarily returned during the immigration periods, hut also brought their friends, and, iu some cases, all the able-bodied men of the village. Under constant Government supervision they have been treated fairly and well. Of late years, instead of the 13 cents a day, they have been paid from 72 cents to one dollar<2o cents a day, according to the type, of work .performed. Being a race of great industry they have saved, and some have money in the banks. They also have their own extensive

ALL BLACKS IN TRAINING During: the Australian tour the All Blacks found Elliman’s Embrocation most valuable for general training. Rub away muscle aches and strains with it. No athlete should be without it. 2

j agricultural holding, and many villages are composed entirely of typical j East Indian houses with beautiful j temples dedicated to their various | religions. Hindu predominates, Moi hammedans next in importance, BudI dhist and Parsee. A few profess the j Christian faith. j The Hindu form by far the greatest i section.

Gradually many of the descendants of the immigrants have become Anglicised. They eagerly sought the educational advantages offered by the Trinidad Government. At present various full-blooded East Indians are excellent lawyers; one, in fact, is an eminent King's Counsel.