BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1706, 23 March 1906, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

CHINESE LABOR QUESTION. CAPITALISTS AND ASIATIC LABOR

By; 'telegraph, Press Aos’n, Copyright Recotvod 10.16 p.m., March 22. London, Maroh 22. In Iho House of Commons Mr Ohamborlain raised a discussion on the nocossity for a Royal Commission inquiring into the ooonomic and moral offeots of indentured labor iu tho Transvaal. Ho sail that the Government’s polioy would keep tho question open for at loast four yoars. I* was, he said, unfair to keep tho sword of Damocles hanging over tho mineownoro. Tho present hysterical paroxysm of morality had bouoSttod no 000. Tho storm of indignation browing in South Africa was oertam to spread to other oolonies, yet on tho maintenanoo of good relations with tho oolonies tho oontinuauoo of tho Empire dependod. Mr Churohill doolared that it was no Use appointing a commission. Lpxd-Selborno admitted that improper J ***lnai!lega! praotioos had prevailed In connection with tho treatment of tho Coolies. If the oonjuootion botwoen cosmopolitan capital and tho immense reservo'rs of Asiaatio labor became pennanont, a deadly blow would ho struck at tho pillars of European civilisation. Government euteitalned the most sinoero respect for tho traiitions of seli-govorumout which would always be the guard rails of the Liberal Colonial polioy. Mr Chamberlain's motion was dofoated by a majority of 268.