CHINESE LABOR IN ENGLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 1707, 25 February 1873, Page 3

CHINESE LABOR IN ENGLAND.

Mr Medhurst, British consul at Shanghai, suggests tbe possibility of high wapes and scarce labor attracting Chinese workmen to Europe and even to England. He writes : — The Chinese are good agriculturists, mechanics, laborers, and sailors ; and possess all the intelligence, delicacy of touch, and unwearying patience which are necessary to render them first-rate machinists and manufacturers. They are, moreover, docile, sober, thrifty, industrious, self-denying, enduring, and peace-loving to a degree. They are equal to any climate, be it hot or frigid ; all that is needed is teaching and guidance combined with capital and enterprise, to convert them into the most efficient workmen to be found on the face of the earth. The marvellous energy of which tbey are capable as mere laborers, is, moreover, constantly exhibited at the port of Shanghai, where they bave been known to accomplish the discharge of a ship in less time, as I have been assured, than can be effected by dock laborers at home, even with all the appliances of cranes and otherwise which these latter have at their disposal. This remarkable aptitude shown by the Chinese for skilled as well as physical labor, is worthy the serious attention of both employers and workmen in these days of strikes in every department of British skill and industry If the Chinaman can thus compete with our artisans and working men in his native country, notwithstanding tbe many disadvantages which must attend the exercise there of his intelligence and strength, what will he not be able to accomplish when encouraged and taught to rival a foreign antagonist on his own ground, and at a more moderate rate of remuneration than the latter can afford to demand ? Should matters go on as they are now doing in England, the laboring and manufacturing classes must not wonder if they find themselves ere long displaced and distanced by the hitherto despised — but none the less practical, useful, and labor-loving — Chinamen. —^