FEDERAL MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 167, 26 July 1901, Page 2

FEDERAL MATTERS.

QUESTION OF COLORED LABOR,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, July 25. Mr Barton adhores to his opinion that it is highly undesirable to have two largo important Federations in the Southern Seas. Ho will, therefore, mako a representation to that effect, in rogard to any attempt made to federato by Fiji aud Now Zoaland.

In the Houso of Representatives, Mr Watson, New South Wales leader of tho Labor Party, moved tho adjournment of tho discussion on tho employment of colored labor. Tho mail steamers of tho Oriont Co. at last had to succumb to tho competition of the Peninsular Oriental line, and was replacing white crows by Lascar crews. Tho employment of colored labor was unfair to Australian coastal steamers. New Zoaland and othor countries put clauses into their mail contracts providing for the employment of whito ceamen only.

Mr Barton fully sympathised with tho speaker, but said the subject was difficult to deal with. Australia was only ono party to the mail contracts, and there was not the same readiness on tho part of tho Imperial authorities to cxeludo colored labor as there was hero. It must bo remembered that the views of India, which equally with Australia participated in tho contracts, wero entitled to consideration. The Government would endeavor to have terms mado that would minimise, if not do away with, the conditions of the existing contracts. Mr Reid, speaking for the whole of the Opposition, assured Mr Barton that ho was heartily with him. Members generally supported tho oxtinotion of clored labor.