RAND CHINESE AND GUIANA COOLIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12912, 1 March 1906, Page 7

RAND CHINESE AND GUIANA COOLIES.

/If. you decide that Chinese labour iu South Africa is slavery. 11 said Mr Balfour at Manchester, "you will equally have to decide that coolis labour in British Guiana is slavery. There is no escape from that conclusion."

The taunt, reiterated by Mr Balfour and others, that as coolie labour was established, or permitted, in the West Indies by.ths Liberals, the action of .the present Government in regard to Chinese labour in the Transvaal can only be prompted bv party exigencies, brought out an interesting communication from the West India Committee.

" The system of' importation, of Chinamen into South Africa," sav the writers "differs very materially and*in many important respects from tbat which obtains in British Guiana. The following points drawn from the respective Ordinances and regulations at present in force, show this • In South Africa, the Chinese immigrant—

(a) Must not be employed in skilled labour and certain, trades eo long as lie remains in the colony. (b)_ Must be sent back to China at the termination of his indenture. (c) Must not leave the premises -where he is employed ■without a permit. (d) Summary jurisdiction is exercised by fne . superintendent and inSpectoi l . ; • (e) The Chinese immigrant may be accompanied by his wife or not at his option. In British Guiana, the East Indian immigrant—, ; (a) If he shows aptitude can be employed a f -n / ra frra *! Jl an <l mechanic or in other skilled -work in th? factory during his indenture. There is no restriction' -whatever alter liis indenture ceases. Durinc his ™,r~v, he j. fre q uen % saves money and purchases cattle, which are looked after for estate 1S wor k expense of the (b) Has the option of remaining 'in the i?V* receive Crown lands intead of his half return passage. He is encouraged to remain on the estate, where e receives free housing, medical attendance, and pasture for his cattle, and other *hpSvf es ' "which a large, number avail

(c) Must,not leave the.<>stete.jritßoTrt a permit, which can easily be. obtained,.bub as tne estates vary. from 10Q0 to 10,000 acres m,size, and are comrnruritiea:in tiem--6d 7.^.tßis«- no hardship,., - .-.'.: (d). Proceedings for breach of contract can only be taken before the ordinary magistrates of the colony. The immigration authorities only inquire and- report to tne Governor on grievances. (e) The Indian immigrants must be accompanied by 40 per cent, of -women. In conclusion, may -we say how much we deprecate the question of coolie immigration being submitted to the judgment 'of an excited electorate, with the possible effect of discredit being thrown unjustly, though perhaps unintentionally, upon a system which has been an inestimable blessing to those coolies who have availed themselves of it, and a means of introducing an industrious and intelligent population to one of our oldest colonies. "It cannot fairly be said that one partv more thnn another is specially responsible for the British Guiana, system, which has now been in active operation for.mare.than half a centurr."