THE KANAKA QUESTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2360, 24 May 1892, Page 1

THE KANAKA QUESTION.

London, May 19. The Aborigines Protection Society have denounced the revival of Kanaka labor in Queensland as a cruel and debasing form of slavery, and declared that recruiting simply meant kidnapping and stealing. May 21, It is considered possible that the introduction of Kanaka labor into Queensland will result in an inqrea.ed vote for the western mail service. Admiral Erskine, who was for a long time on the'Australian station, in a letter to one of the leading dailies, observes witn sorrow and dismay the attitude that has been adopted by the Imperial Government in the matter. He considers that even under the m°st stringent regulations wrongs and abuses of the traffic wflf occur, leadingjinyariably to reprisals and bloodshed. The proposed recruiting in New Guinea, he says, is contrary to the terms of the protectorate. Brisbane, May 20. The Governor-iu-Counoil has approved of the regulations regarding the employment of Kanaka labor. They consist of 54 clauses, and provide for every contingency which is likely to arise. Only British subjects will be employed in recruiting and separate acooipodation will be provided ip ti\e "vessels for the Kanaka women. No h r e-arms, liquor, or dice are to he given the natives while on board the vessel; the recruiting agent and crew are not to sleep away from the ship, and the ship’s master is to obey the instructions of the Government. The labor ja, to be recruited in the presence of am agent, and no attempt is +q b,e made to, take those islanders who are unwilling, to go to Queensland. o,n returning to the islands they will be taken to their own villages. A hospital is to bq established in Queensland for the treatment of those islanders, who may fall ill.