POLYNESIAN SLAVE TRADE

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 636, 25 January 1872, Page 2

POLYNESIAN SLAVE TRADE

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib,—ln lust Saturday's issue of the Southern Cross appeared a sensation letter from the Roy Mr Edger revealing the existence of slavery in our midst. I do not write to defend the question of labour trade, nor yet is it my intention f° ?™ er ™ ,any way u P°n the argument, but Mr Edger has got an idea into his nead so utterly averse to fact, that unless contradicted many might be led to believe that the hornet's nest, which only exists in nis imagination, is really buzzing about ourselves.

In the first placo, I would remark upon the general tenor and style of the letter with the impression that it tends to leave on the minds of those who are entirely strangers to the subject. J The letter is pithy, short, deep and sensational, and would give many the idea that the writer ls a philanthropic man to whom is due considerable praise for having opened up, or I should say discovered such a momentous question as slave trade n our own and neighbouring waters, but cnmJrl ? ° ip • Ile is,veiy cauti°us not to com mi t himself in a few of his statements by saying "I believe" such and such to be toe me this proves his insincerity in the £tX b *>* t*in« the trouble to find out the real truth and actual facts before writing to the public as he has 1 wiU now answer the parts, first, he ■tatoß as a fact "thata vessel engaged in bour, fitted up with all the* requirements needed for that diabolical pipose and having on board a colored man who acts as a decoy to the natives," this I challenge lightened imagination fostered in this dry

clime of Auckland could produce such a stretch from fact.

Second, "He states that she proccedg, I believe, from here, on a kidnapping expedition." Here ho does not commit himself, so all I can reply to his belief is that it is an illusionary one. Then comes the slap at Auckland merchants, let it bo borne in mind that it only refers to the "respectable" ones, there is nodanger itmay be supposed in the others, wherever they may be, on their entering on such a field of action. He calls " public opinion" and " conscience" to come down upon them and make them hesitate before they become agents for such vessels, or in any way aid or abet their undertaking." I am sure every respectable merchant will be fully prepared to be judged by public opinion and conscience in all their transactions, no creating on the part of " we," is at all necessary to settle that point. Mr Edger closes up with a sweeping con« damnation on the population of the pro- , vince of Auckland for their indifference in allowing the visits of such vessels, and most shocking of all, the actual existence of Polynesian slavery in our midst, as much as to say, beware, oh ye individuals in this town of Auckland who keep hired black servants, and feed, clothe, and in some cases instruct the same in order to receive in return that easy, light service they are capable of performing, combined lso with the satisfaction of causing a little interest and curiosity in the minds of their visitors : this in the eyes of Mr. Edger is a far more heinous crimo than paying a white servant girl from 63 to 10s per week, and taking it out of her by three or four times the amount of work that could or would be done by the so-called " Polynesian slave." Let us congratulate ourselves that there is one man in the province of Auckland whose reputation and moral character is not seriously damaged by the existence of this Polynesian slavery, and we must buoy ourselves up with the hope that for the sake of this one and others (if Mr Edger thinks they are to be found) the balance of the population may be saved from such a stigma and disgrace. I am, &c, W. F. Wheeleb. January 22, 1872.