A—s

30

And if he will not?— Then ho will be declared a vagabond, and held for the next transport. Mr. Cobcroft : 1 wish to make it clear that there are seven women and forty men on this plantation. Four Chinese labourers (Nos. 3111, 3122, 2951, and another) were questioned, through an interpreter. Hon. Sir James Allen: Are they satisfied with the conditions of their work?— Yes. Are any of these men married?— One (No. 3111) is living with a Samoan woman. Is he married to her according to Samoan custom?— They simply live together. Does she live with him only? —Yes. The Chinese Consul : In marrying her, did he have the permission of a relative?—No; they simply like one another. Mr. Holland : Are there any children ?—One child. Mr. McCombs : Will the child go back to China with him? —No, it cannot. Mr. Holland: How were they informed in China of the fact that they were wanted for labour in Samoa?— The conditions are read by a man who recruits the coolie. What is the recruiting system?— They have nearly forgotten it, they have been here so long. How long have they been here?— Seven or eight years—reindentured. Hon. Sir James Allen : He had the right to go back and did not go?— That, is so. Mr. Holland : They have been here seven or eight years?— Yes. And only one of them is married?— Yes. There are seven women among forty males here. But out of these forty only one is married ?—Only one. The others have been here seven years and have not married at all ?—No. Never go out with a Samoan woman?— No. In the absence of relationship with women, is there male prostitution among the Chinamen here?— No. Do they live lives of absolute celibacy? —I think they tried to get one, but they cannot support or cannot get a woman. So far as I know Ido not think there is any male prostitution. I have been here only a short time. What punishments have they been subjected to during the time they have been here, under German law and under British law?— These four are good coolies. They have all a clean record. They have never been up for punishment. Have they ever been in any conflict with the Natives ?—No. Do they know of any conflicts between the Natives and the Chinese?—So far they have not had any. Others may have; they cannot say. What is the # difference between the wages they receive here and the wages they received in their own country before they came here? —They have rather more wages here, but the cost of living is dear, which makes up the difference. This one got £1 per month at the time he enlisted. Hon. Sir. James Allen: What was he getting in China?— Five dollars—Mexican dollars. Was he fed for the five dollars ?—Yes. How about medical attendance? —He paid for that out of his own pocket. Does he get his food here and medical attendance? —Yes. Mr. Holland : What are his wages here now?—£2 10s. a month. What food does he get?—lf lb. of rice per day, and 12s. food allowance. Hon. Sir James Allen: Is that in addition to the £2 10s.?—He gets the food in addition to the £2 10s. ; it is not included. Mr. Holland : Are they required to do a task, or do they just do a day's work? Are they required to do so-much work in a day?— According to the contract, ten hours a day. Sometimes they do contract work, sometimes not. If they are on the ten-hours-a-day arrangement they are not required to do a task?— No. When they are doing contract work, as soon as they get it done they are at liberty to go away. What work are they doing—handling these cocoa-pods?— Yes. They do not have to do so-many trucks in a day? —No. They have some special meaning about contract work. As soon as they have finished it they can go. That is task work. Hon. Sir James Allen : What is the number of the first 0ne?—3122. Is he on task work? —He is doing task work at present. What does he get for his task?—To pick cocoa-pods. What does he earn per month?—-No difference. That means £2 10s. and 12s. ?—Yes. Does his task take him ten hours, or less? —It. does not take ten hours; he cannot say how many. What is the number of the second man ?—2951. Will you please get the same facts from him? —He is on task work, receiving £2 10s. and 12s. Does it take him less than ten hours?— Not necessarily ten hours. Now we will take No. 3111 : what wages does he receive?—£3 10s. a month. Mr. Conrad :He is the fireman here. He receives an extra £1. His wife sometimes works, and is paid 3s. a day. Mr. McCombs : As a Samoan does she get her food from the bush? Mr. Conrau : Her food is included in the 3s. She finds her own. Mr. Wright: Where a Samoan woman is living with a Chinaman, who provides her food? Does the Chinaman she is living with or does the employer?—lt comes out of the Chinaman's,wages. Mr. T. W. Rhodes : If this man were allowed, would he marry her in a legal way?—He would.