COOLIE LABOUR FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1400, 10 August 1878, Page 2

COOLIE LABOUR FOR NEW ZEALAND.

[By Telegraph.] [from the correspondents of the press.] Amongst other papers laid on the table to-day is a printed copy of correspondence between Mr E. C. Buck and the Agent-General. Mr Buck is the director of agriculture and commerce in the north-west provinces of India, and writes to Sir J. Vogel, recommending that an attempt should be made by the New Zealand Government to introduce the cultivation of tobacco in this colony, and that with this object the immigration of surplus Indian population should be allowed. His letter, which is very long, is dated October, 1877, and commences by stating that amongst other enterprises initiated by himself in India has been that of the cultivation, curing, and manufacture of tobacco for the European market. A Calcutta firm, with some assistance from Government, have been at this work for the last eighteen mouths, and have obtained in England and Australia for their cured leaf three times as large a price as any hitherto obtained for Indian tobacco. They are now encouraged by their success into building a factory. Mr Buck adds that, in 1875, he travelled over the North Island of New Zealand by coach and on horseback, and having carefully informed himself of the character of the climate and soil, is convinced that no country could be more suitable for the cultivation of tobacco than certain paris of this island. He doubts, however, whether tobacco growing, which requires a great deal of petty manipulation and constant care and attention, would bear a favorable return to Europeans. But he thinks that its cultivation could be undertaken with great advantage to the colony by Indian coolie labor under proper superintendence. This of course involves the question whether the New Zealand Government would sanction the introduction of coolie labor, and in a foot-note he states that the consent of a foreign Government to the terms is necessary before emigration can be allowed from India to another country, Mr Buck reckons that Coolie labor, allowing for everything, comparative physical weakness included, would not at the utmost exceed one-third of the cost of European labor. The only objection that can exist is that raised by colonists to their introduction. The laboring classes have a general impression that they would be undersold by the Indian Coolie. This certainly might be the case if Indians camo in crowds to settle in this island, and performed work now done by Englishmen. But the work which a Coolie takes is always work which a European is unable or rather which it would not pay him to take. Mr Buck proceeds to propose that both black labor and production of tobacco might with advantage be made Government monopolies for the benefit of the whole white population by raising a fund to meet the expenditure now defrayed by general taxation. He feels certain that a large revenue might be raised in the North Island from the cultivation of special crops by black labor, and if the introduction of Indian coolies were to take this form, and the white population was made to understand that it was undertaken solely for their benefit, without any chance of foreign labor being brought into competition with their labor, popular feeling might be favorable enough to the measure. Indian officials (says Mr Buck) like work and dread an idle life, and want occupation and a healthyatmosphere more than money, and of these, many would willingly undertake on behalf of the Government, and for a very small remuneration, the management of estates worked by Indian coolies. He adds: “lam now writing for the benefit of intending colonists from India. My sole motive is to place before you a suggestion for the good and advantage of New Zealand, to which 1 have given much thought and consideration. in addition to tobacco Mr Buck believes that opium and coffee would also be certain to thrive in New Zealand, and he is of opinion that the North Island would produce a large outturn of tea of good quality. In support of his arguments ho notices the unmistakable success of a recently founded tobacco plantation in Java, and promises the Government, if they will take up the matter, to give all the assistance in his power. The answer of the A gent-General is characterised by caution. Individually he approves strongly of Mr Buck’s proposal; but he will say nothing that might involve the present Government. From the Government itself there is not a word upon the subject.