"Indentured Labour"

Letter to the Editor YES, a threadbare subject—but I should like to associate myself with the two Bishops, the Right Revs. P. N.

W. Strong and Henry Newton, of New Guinea, and with a number of other mis sionaries, not often quoted, who believe that the contract labour system in Papua, although not ideal, has worked in the interests of both the natives, as well as the commercial community, and is the best thing for the natives in the present stage of their development.

This writer ha§ seen the system work ing through 12 years of residence in the Territory, and has worked under its ordinances and provisions. Bishop Strong’s article in the “Sydney Morning Herald,” recently, states the issues involved, adequately. Moreover, I should like to say that I resent the injustice done to a great number of Territorians — planters, traders and others.

From much criticism of the contract (or “indentured”) system, as well as by the use of such terms as “the exploita tion of the natives,” the inference is usually drawn that these white leaders of commerce are rather a hard and heartless lot. My observation and experience have indicated that most of them not only faithfully carry out their obligations under contracts, but have also a real interest in the natives; and, in their care of them, as well as in their oversight of their work, have made their contribution to the development of the industry, experience, and stamina of character of the natives, who freely choose to work for them. I’ve known employers of contract labour as proud of their work-boys as the missionary is of his students.

It is a pity that criticism is not more scientific. That is to say, broad terms such as “the Pacific natives,” are used, and judgments are pronounced, that might apply to a group, or a territory, or to a past period, but which are not applicable to the entire Pacific —Polynesian, Melanesian, and Indonesian, to day, with the great range and variety of their conditions and circumstances.

As far as Papua is concerned, many of these general statements do not apply.

Let it be said, however, that those who say these things are usually folk who have no intimate knowledge of Papua; residence in the Territory would have obviated the utterance of misleading statements.

I am, etc.,

R. E. S. Taylor.

The Parsonage, Enfield, NSW.