UNDER WHICH FLAG—GOD OR MAMMON.

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 301, 19 July 1920, Page 1

UNDER WHICH FLAG—GOD OR MAMMON.

A eelebmtcd South American on being asked how he accounted for the tack ward ness of Soutli America when compared with tin* northern continent replied: “We were founded by Spaniards m quest of gold; North America by men seeking for (Jod.“ <’,old or (lod. It is the test stone for national character. Are we seeking materia! prosperity at the sariflce of honour and righteousness ? This question we must decide in connection with our latest dependency—Samoa. To decide rightly we must know the facts, and these we set forth in this article. The particulars about New Guinea were given us by a Missionary who spent 16 years then; and can be depended upon to know facts and to state them truly. Upon the question of indentured labour for Samoa, we as citizens of this Dominion are responsible. We appeal to all to study these facts carefully, is it logical that a Government, which dare not compel its own people to labour for increased production at home, should yet compel helpless savages to labour that Samoa may be more productive. Is not the cry for productiveness a red herring drawn across the trail. Indentured labour is of two kinds Native and Imported. The South Sea Islands have native indentured labour. Fiji, South Africa and other places have imported Chinese or Indian coolies. In New Guinea the Governin' nt will not allow any person to employ the natives unless the contract, called an indenturt, is

signed before a Government official. This is don * for the protection of f he native. The Mission plantations all have lt» secure their labour in this way, but on these plantations the labourer brings his wife and family. This is not insisted upon by the Government, and many planters do not allow it Had as it undoubtedly is. to take the man and leave his family behind, yet still he is among people of his own race, and there is not the racial pollution that follows impoited labour. Upon this question a mission worker in the New Hebrides spftiks of the irregular life lod upon these plantations where so many men more than women are recruited; and adds “It is granted that the islands cannot be developed without labour, but it is the aAy of the Government to devise a scheme whereby the present evils are at any rate, mitigated. If only married couples were allowed to go, and no hindrance placed in the way of building up families, part of the problem would be solved; but would the planter be willing to accept such a solution? He would get two “hands,” for a woman loses very little time in caring for her children in these places, and I venture to think that many of his “hands” would become permanent ones, thus reducing his recruiting expenditure. In course of time, should the natives desire to return to their homes, they could do so. and take their families with them. At present it is quite an exception for a “recruit” to bring any family home with him, and if he should bring a wife she often belongs to n different island, and there is no permanence about such a marriage, but too often trouble and dispute.”

Kven in New Guinea, where the Government does not wink at injustice to the native, cases of blackbirding occur. The difficulty is to discover such cases in that large and thinly populated island. In New Guinea the planters wished the Government to be responsible for a supply of labour. In plain language, this meant that the Government official would demand from each village a certain number of labourers, which they must supply. A Commission was set up, and examined planters, missionaries. and other witnesses. The missionaries mostly were opposed to the scheme, and a high Anglican dignitary being asked if he thought the Government should supply labour, to his honour replied, “No! To force natives to work for the gain of private individuals is slavery.” There he hit the nail right upon the head. If it is ever necessary to conscript labour, that labour must be only for the common good of all, for the State, and not to put dividends into the already over-full pockets of planters and shareholders. In Samoa the question is of imported labour. The Samoans will not work, we are told, and for the development of the island !♦ is necessary to import Chinese coolies or South Sea Islanders. As this question is to be discussed in our Parliament, we wish all White Ribboners to clearly understand the position. In a nutshell, it is this: The* Samoan will work in American Samoa, because he reaps the reward of his own labour. Judge Watson, in his book on Samoa, says, referring to American Samoa. that as t'Wtards copra, the Government has eliminated the private

trader, and has thereby secured for the natives a price that will induce them to cultivate their plantations, with the result that since America instituted this system the output of copra hits l>een increased ninefold. The American authorities call for tenders for the output, and accept the highest tender. New Zealand sent a Parliamentary party to inspect Samoa. To these a booklet was presented, entitled. ’’Samoa's Problems" “A series of reports compiled by the Citizens' Committee. appointed by the citizens of British Western Samoa, at a public meeting held in the Market Hall, Apia, on January 26, 1920, in view of the forthcoming visit of the New Zealand Parliamentary Party." A few quotations from that booklet will be illuminating, and coming from the people who are asking for Indentured Labour, cannot be prejudiced against it. What could more clearly show that indentured labour is wanted not to develop Samoa, but to fill the planters' pockets, than the following paragraph: "We would also lay great stress upon the fact that with the present price paid for copra, a native and his wife can (if they are in want of money), by cutting out 400 lbs. of dry copra, an eiisy task, earn in one day more than the planters could afford to pay them in a month." If every two free labourers can earn a month's wages by one day’s easy work, it is an easy calculation to find out what the planter expects to \ ut in his own pocket. They earn their month's wages in a day; every other day of the month they work for the planter's gain. As to the type of labourer required after setting forth that they were trying to get Chinese coolies the report goes on that failing Chinese labour, "our only other hope of securing sufficient labour is from Dutch East Indies." Then is inserted the following report from a German planter who has lived some years in Sumatra:—"l will giv*» you some particulars about my experience in Sumatra during six years’ work on idantations with Javanese and Chinese labour. . . . We had in Sumatra only indentured la hour. As indentured labour you cau get men and women married or single, as required. They will find each other and live together. The Javanese works at least as well as the Chinese nowadays, and he will be cheaper. In any case, Javanese labourers are far

easier to satisfy than Chinese. Rice, dry fish, and cocoanut oil, will be their staple food, and if sometimes fresh meat is added, they will be very satisfied. In Sumatra these people supplied their own food, and got onlv wages, which were, during my stay, very low. Men, 6 guilden per month (about 10s pre-war), women 3J guilden (5s lOd). . . . The Javanese is far easier to treat than Chinese. He still has respect for the white race. . . . Now as to tl location fftmi whence to take the Javanesee. The further from Batavia and Soerabaga the better. The Batavians, the so-called Sudanese, are too far advanced in culture, and want any amount of privileges, but the p?ople far in the inteerior are very harmless, and will learn quickly " This extract scarcely needs comment. Evidently these "gentlemen” want labourers who don’t ask for privileges; who are not advanced in culture; who will take low wages and inferior food; in short, poor savages, too weak and friendless to defend themselves, ami who can easily be exploited for the gain of their employer. Surely Christian women of New Zealand will not permit this iniquity under our own flag. If Chinese coolies are secured it means race pollution, as these men form temporary unions with Samoan women, and go back to their own wives in China, leaving half-caste children with the worst characters of both races. Indian coolies cannot be obtained. The Indian Government has stopped recruiting its people because of the great abuses in Fiji and elsewhere. The British Government, after its experiences with indentured labour in Fiji. South Africa etc., has abandoned the system. Now our New Zealand Government has been allowed, we believe on their own request, to try indentured labour in Samoa. If this Government cannot develop Samoa with free labour, instead of begging permission to try a brand of slavery, they should send to America for a man to show them how America increases production with free labour. Free laliour will develop Samoa, but free labour will not allow the planter tc pocket the proceeds of the labourer's month's work and return him the price of one day’s work. By free labour, not development, but dividends suffer. This is but another phase of the flght between God and Mammon. For greed

of gold we forced opium upon China, let us not allow this mistake to be repeated. We women of New Zealand are the keepers of our Samoan sisters. Let us not allow them to l>e degraded by an influx of Chinese coolies. Let us heed the words of the "Modern Isaiah”: "He’s true to God who's true , to man; Wherever wrong is done. To the humblest and the weakest, 'Neath the all beholding sun. That wrong is also done to us; And they are slaves most base. Whose love of right is for themselves, And not for all their race.”