The Alien Worker.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 154, 4 July 1904, Page 3

The Alien Worker.

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL'S LITTLE ItEQUEST. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 1. A deputation from the Trades and Labour Council protested to Sir Joseph Ward to-night against the employment of Chinese firemen and trimmers on board the Pacific ca'ble steamer Iris, now lying at Auckland. It was stated that there were 23 or 24 Chinamen employed, each of them receiving £4 10s per month, whereas the New Zealand coastal rate was £6 10s. Mr Fowlds, M.11.R., said that seoing that New Zealand was a partner in the Pacific cable the wages of the Iris should be the standard wages. Sir Joseph Ward said he was quite in sympathy with the roqdest, and already the Government had intimated its opinion that Chinamen should not be employed on a steamer in which New Zealand and Australia wore concerned. Wo did not, he said, support any race that lowered wages in the colony, and lio considered the Pacific Cable Company should be able to make arrangements to man the steamer with white men. The colony's representative had been instructed to make strong representations to that effect. If t the New Zealand Government could bring about the desire of the deputation it would b« done.