The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1892. Slave Labor

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 52, 18 October 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1892. Slave Labor

The debates which took place in the House of Representatives on the subject of slavery in Queensland excited some interest in that colony, and a prominent resident there has written to the Hon. T. Fergus commending the stand he took on the Polynesian Labor Question, he says:— "lt is absolutely untrue that the kanakas are badly treated in this colony ; on the contrary, they are well housed and fed, and as happy as possible. I have taken a great interest in this matter, and am quite satis6ed that every attention and consideration are shown to the kanaka, and that he himself is satisfied. In many cases, after the term of engagement has expired, the kanakas of their own free will and accord ask for an extension of time. If they were badly treated it is hardly likely that they would adopt this course. There has been much comment on the resolution which was passed in the New Zealand House of Representatives, and it is to be regretted that such a motion was adopted, which is here regarded as an unnecessary interference with a sister colony and calculated to cause trouble. Mr Ballance has done New Zealand no good in Queensland through his action. The Queensland people, as a rule, think highly of New Zealand, and it would be better, if you wish to retain the kindness of our people, to allow the Parliament and Government of Queensland to manage their own affairs." It is observable here how carefully the main point. is avoided. Nothing is said of the crime of stealing those gentle islanders from their homes in the sunny islands of the Pacific. There is a sophistry created by self interest which has obnubilated the mental vision of the writer. It is likely enough that when the slaves have been allotted to their several masters that they are well housed and kept. Surely this is nothing to boast about. Men to do much hard physical work — with profit to their ownersmust be well fed and kept— or, like other beasts of burden, they will sink and die. That would mean a loss, because men slaves, like horses, cost money. Objectors to the system have not exclaimed so much against the manner in which these slaves are treated after they have arrived at a atate of bondage, as against the mode in which they were entrapped from their own island homes. The mild request " to allow the Parliament and Government of Queensland to manage their own affairs " is just and reasonable, but it is only another way of begging the question. New Zealand never meant to interfere with Queensland, as she has not the power. What New Zealand warmly protested against was the introduction of slavery in the South Seas, and we devoutly hope she will continue to lift up her voice condemning this dreadful crime against humanity.