Japanese Warned About Coolie System

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1948, Page 5

Japanese Warned About Coolie System

Received Wedne.sduv, S.20 p.m. , TOKIO, Feb. II. Japanese laliour suppJiers lieJd hun dreds of thousands of workers virtuall . as niental and sometimes as phvsieii. prisoners, in filthy, unsanitary condi I jons not iit for Iiumuns, Mr. ' Hiorling ( 'ollett, an oilieial of the Labour Divf sion, told the Japanese press. He added that there was evidence that labousuppliers, both l»y the control the\ exercised over workers and bv Hn

profits they made, wero a.pohtical in tluence in Japnn. Alr. Lollett declare•that it fornie.d a major segment of tln Hystem which in 1!)4 7 was deseribed b> other officials at General MacArthur'V hcfidquarters „as tho hidden governinent". Warning- the Japanese people that the system must lie ended by Mareh 1, Mr. ('ollett said heavy penal ties rangj ng* to ten years' iinprisoiunein and a 10,000 ycn line, would be, imposcx on violators. It had been found thn from ;7 to 2o per cent. of the tots labourers working in most .major minine and nianufaeturing establishments ir. . I a pa n . wero under the control of labou; sii])pli,ers. JTe ca.'led upon cmployer.. I'or cooperative. sjiecdy action aiui vigorous prndding bv the governmenl against laliour suppliers who attempted to ,delay or evade readjustinent. That sliould make it possible for Japan, in Hie ncar future, to pi;5claim a further 'advancem,ent in democratisation and provide a lead for other Asiatic countries in tho aholinhment of the" infanious "coolie system".