PAPUA.

Timaru Herald, Volume 170, Issue 170205, 1 May 1920, Page 9

PAPUA.

LABOUR ON PLANTATIONS. SOME SAVAGE EMPLOYERS. Australian and N-Z. Cabla Assn. By Electric'Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, April . 29.. ■Mr J. Benstead, the Government agent for Papua in Sydney, has returned from a visit to Papua. He said that the agitation against -Judge s administration was due _ to the Government's alleged pampering of natives, some- of ; whom sorely needed humane treaterent. .Mr ' Benstead quoted a Magisterial report, on native labour on a certain plantation in 191 S. which stated that the natives received one meal a day, consisting of -Jib rice and a few sweet potatoes, which was given them after hey had been working 7-V to 9 hours. .TSiev worked seven days a week, from 5.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fierce dogs were kept and used against the natives, who were continually beaten by the whites. Most of the natives received no clothes, and went naked on a plantation which was situated between< 2000 and 3000 feet above sea level. The nights were bitterly .cold, and several died. . Mr Bensfcaxl concluded that although this treatment was not confined to one* plantation,. _ tSie majority of planters treated tlieir labourers well.