POLYNESIAN LABOR.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 794, 9 June 1870, Page 4

POLYNESIAN LABOR.

[From tlie Daily Southern Cross, 21th May .J The introduction of a number of contract laborers from the Islands, by the schooner Lulu, raises the very important question in Auckland which is now agitating California, and has also given i-ise to discussion in Queensland and Honolulu. Some time ago we referred to the practical results of the employment of South Sea Island labor in Queensland, •where it has been fairly tried, and admitted to be a failure; and the Government of that colony are now making strenuous exertions to pro mote emigration from Great Britain. In California, so strong has the objection to the Asiatic nice become, that the State Legislature has rejected the " Fifteenth Amendment," with the view of excluding Celestials from the rights of citizenship. This policy has been forced upon the State because of the number of Chinese laborers who have been introduced, for, should these increase in the same ratio for the next halfdozen years as they have increased during the past two years, they would be able to swamp the white vote at any election. Thus, in the States on the Pacific slope, the tt nigger " question crops up in a new form, after having settled in the Atlantic States. As we look at this question, we think the Californian Assembly was right to reject any amendment of the Constitution, which would admit, after a brief residence, the Pagan and debased races of the East and "Melanesia, to the full rights of American citizenship. So much for the political aspect of the question. With regard t* its social bearings, we have still stronger objections to the location of colored races in this" pountry. We think that introduction of the Chinese to the Australian colonies and California has done much to lower the standard of morals 4\i tho«e countries, Indeed., a pern-

sal of the San Francisco.and Australian newspapers must satisfy anyone, howerer sceptical, of the truth of our statement; and no economic advantages which may result from employing the cheap hibor of inferior races could compensate for their debasing influence on society, j In view of these facts, therefore, we protest against the" introduction of contract laborers from the South Sea Islands to New Zealand. It may not be thought politic to forbid < Chinese immigrants to land on our shores, seeing that they come robin tarily, and rely on their own exertions for subsistence ; although, as a matter of opinion, we unhestatingly say, that if we possessed the power, we would prevent their contact either with the European inhabitants or aboriginal natives. The Maoiis are infinitely superior to any of tha races of the extreme east and south-east of the Asiatic Continent*. It is the duty of the Government and colonists to endeavor, by all pro per means, to elevate the Maori race in the social scale; but how can this be done if we are to permit them to have intercourse with the degraded races of Asia ; —men whose civilization chiefly consists in systemising the barbarious cruelties ofwhinh the New Zealander was guilty in his primitive state. With regard to the employment, of these unfortunate islandeis in the preparation of flax-in this province, we have only a word so say. It is impossible to suppose that these men came here voluntarily. We do not insinuate that physical force was used to coin ey them on boa rd the vessel; but we conceive that if the " influence " of certain chiefs —who were doubtless rewarded for their trouble—had not been exerted, we should not have seen them amongst us. We cannot too strongly condemn such a system of obtaining "cheap labor."' Then, again, we object to "cheap labor" of this description altogether, when so many of our own race and country are out of employment, or barely earning the necessaries of life. The Kanakas. will not contribute anything to the: revenue. They will toil at their masters' mill;'be scantily fed and clothed, and should they sur\ive the hardships to which they are certain to be exposed, they will leave this country without contributing a mite toward its improvement. Our contemporary, the Herald, we are glad to perceive, has noticed this matter, and very properly invites the Government to regulate the new scheme of immigration which has just been brought into operation. If we are to found a Slave State, lot us understand it, and prepare for it; but if this is not to be permitted, then we object to any half measures. Let us at least be thorough. If slavery is a good and beneficial " institution," let us say so at once ; but if it is altogether abhorrent to our ideas of human rights, and opposed to the principles of our Government, let us not wink at a modified system of slavery in our midst. And the employment of contract laborers from the South Sea Islands is slavery in a new a dress, say what we may about it. We elsewhere insert a letter from a correspondent on this subject.