Native Labour
p. 42 · Read in the full issue
Another Missionary on Native Labour
(See Mission Letter on Page 10) THE following is from a Pacific Islands missionary of long experience, now resident in Sydney, on the subject of indentured native labour; “I was perturbed to read that letter in the 'Sydney Morning Herald,’ signed by two missionary leaders who should have known better.
“Mr. Ward was just a passer-through, who knew all about everything in a five minutes’ visit, and therefore feels he is capable of dictating the policies of the Territories.
“The indentured system is not ideal, but it does not exploit the natives They get a fair deal. Wages are not high, but no doubt must rise nQW They haye tQ be cared for and treated properly, and, provided the Government, the DO’s and RM’s do their job properly, there is no cause for complaint. The white employ e rs must have rights as well as the indentured labourers.
“ X , f or one, feel that the system could possibly be improved; injustices possibly modified or removed: but I do feel most strongly that it would be a real calamity if the indentured system is done away wit h. Mr. Ward could never formulate a scheme to adequately take its place.”