CONTRACT LABOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1069, 10 December 1903, Page 2

CONTRACT LABOR.

The exclusion of a Bank of New Zealand clerk from the United 'States because he happened to go there under contract is a sharp reminder of the way in which American laws are administered. We are led to believe that New_Zealand is .entirely in the hands of the Labor party in the matter of laws and restrictions ; yet it is not so many years ago that a great fuss was made because Mr Reeves desired to prevent people suffering from infectious diseases being dumped into this fair coffony. It is only a few days ago '.that the ’Frisco mail contract was renewed, although the United States practically shuts the Union Company out from competition in the service. The action of America in regard to Mr Kenneth Harper has been stated to be on a parallel with the six hatters, who were refused admission •to Australia—Which is simply balderdash. 'The six. hatters were not refused admission. .They were simply made to 1 stand by until enquiries had been made into there case. The fact was that they were (juße entitled to admission under the' Federal laws if appl cat on had been made in the proper form ; but the importer would not take the trouble to comply with the simple provisions pf the and an outcry by politicians seeking Co discredit the Federal Government. The American case is exclusion in its most complete form as applied to labor under contract ; the bank clerk ■is treated the same as the ordinary navvy. .Yet there are those who are afraid of the many things that will happen if Great Britain takes measures to protect her own interests, as against foreign competitors.

Yesterday morning a fine mob of 1000 freezers, from Mr .T. Clark’s Arai and Opou stations, passed through town en route to the Gisborne Freezing Works. Messrs F. L. Fearn and E. Nicholson were in charge Q f the mob. Mr Geo. Humphries, a missionary from India, arrived by the Westralia last evening, and will address a public meeting in the Gtey Street hall this evening at 7.30. Mr Humphries has spoilt many years in India as a missionary, ana should be able to give some very interesting information iu regard to that country. To morrow evening he will deliver an address illustrated by lantern views. The Willoughby-Goaeh Company commence a season of three nights on Saturday, the 19th inst., whom they will produce the well known farce comedy, “Why Smith Left Home.” On Monday the ' company produce “ Topsy .Turvey,” and , O o Tuesday our old friend “ What Hap- \ peued to Jones.”