INDENTURED LABOUR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XX, 31 July 1920, Page 2

INDENTURED LABOUR.

SAMOA DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. [Per Press ? -vociation—Copyright.] WELLINGTON, this day. the House last evening resumed the discussion on Island Trade. Mr Holland moved: “I'hat the House records it o-piposition to the continuance of indent,uj-ed labour in Western Samoa.” Mr Howard seconded th® mentMr Isift said that indentured laHour was being turned into a political “stunt-" by the Labour pailtiy. Mr Massey explained that, the mandate had been inevitable, -or -some foreign nation would have gat Samoa, having plurt in a strong claim for it. He did not like the system af indentured lalour, butit was the onlj*. tracticab/le alternative at present’. Messrs Wilf-Odd, Macdonald,Veitch and Reid continued th® debate. LIBERAL LEADER'S ATTfIUpE Mr Macdonald, Leader of the Liberal Party, said that, this was licit a party question, but- was a big Empire puotlem, and his side of the House would not, take up- any concerted action to emba rass the Government- He was firmly of opinion that Samoa would be better under British rule than under any other, but he agreed with the Premier that they should get rid of indentured laik/aur at the earliest moment- If the Government could give the HaU|se -some definite idea of when that conldf be, it would -create a twitter feeling- in the Ifousel. Mr Massey : So far as I am concerned, I will do rqy level best to replace indentured labour with free labour. i

Mr Macdonald concluded by -starting that under all circumstances he would vote with the Government; CD this question. j ~ Mr Veitch (Independent. Lac-aiur) emphatically opposed indentured lifcldUT. If tne House agreed to do if that night, ilt would be many years before they wbnild be able to/ eradicate it.

Messrs Reid, Fo-rp-ee, Luke; Hom and Harris gave qualified sufiport rto the Government, proposals. At 2.40 a.m, the debate was concluded, when a division was called, and the amendment maved ty Mr Holland was defeated by 33 to 11. The House ix>se at 2.45 am.

The following is the division-list: For the amendment (11): Bartrum, Dickson (Chalmers), Fraser; Hanan, Holland., Howard; Jennings Keltet, Smith (Taranaki), Veitch Wil ford. i

Against the amendment. (33): Atmjjre, Bollard, Camipibeli; Coates J. S. Dickson' (Parnell, Field, Forbes Guthrie, Hamilton (2), Hants;Hawker, Herrtes, Hockley Hom; Hunter Isitt, Lee Luke, Macdonald; Molend, McNicoM,-Maicolm; .Massey; Nas worthy., Pari, Pomare. Patter. PawdrelT, ReSd, Rhodes (Thames). Sykes, Young. Pairs were arranged for Malcolm, Parry, Savage and Sullivan against Glenn, Nash, Bitchener and Craigie.