COLOURED LABOUR ON MAIL SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 155, 4 July 1903, Page 3

COLOURED LABOUR ON MAIL SHIPS.

PEE PBES3 ASSOCIATION. Melboujin'e, July 3. Despatches «ii.ii thi negotiations between Sir B. Birton and Mr Chamberlain with regard to the carriage of mails were laid on the tabid of 'the House. ' Sir E. Barton requested that notice Ibe given of the termination of the present contract, that no coloured labuur be employed, that vaesels of foster speed b» us d, that a lower subsidy be rtqatred, and that better provision be made fur cool storage. He ' also warned tenderers that new caviI gation legislat'on would probably compel owners to pay the Australian rate I of wages while on the coas*. Mr Chambsrhin was unable to agree to the white labour clause. He had given notice of 'he termination of th 6 agreement-, but unless the labour condition was injdifhd, it would be necessary to abandon the idea of a joint arrangement for the carriage of mails. He was sorry that recent legislation in Australia made ii impossible to bo associa'el in future with tbe Commonwealth ic m ill C"intr;n v ß. The obligations of their Indian subjects precluded Itheui from agreeing to the exclusion of Lascars from mail steamers soltly on the grr.ucd ©f colour. The Imperial Government now had to mike its own anangtments for the carriage of mails, and asked whi'her the Act prohibited the placing of homeward mails aboard vesteis with c.i;oured civws.