Tonkinese At Large
p. 40 · Read in the full issue
Repatriation Problem In New Hebrides
From Our Own Correspondent SANTO, July 20.
A MEETING was held recently in Santo to discuss the latest developments in the projected repatriation of all Tonkinese imported labour from the Group.
Those present were planters who had employed Tonkinese on the indentured system when the labour was first intro duced into the New Hebrides. The ori ginal repatriation went amiss owing to war conditions.
Following demonstrations by Tonkinese in Vila and Santo against attempts to force them to continue the terms of their contracts, despite the fact they had ex pired, they were granted free citizenship, with the right to engage in whatever pur suit they wished.
Stores, vegetable gardens, a so-called “taxi” service, grog-running to the natives, arrogance, and Tonkinese camps were among the results.
When this coolie labour was first intro duced, a planter made application for a quota, and had to put up a bond with the Government to cover the cost of the repatriation of the labourers allotted to him. The Government now insists that that bond is inadequate to cover repatria tion, in view of the increased costs of shipping, etc.
The meeting of planters protested against attempts to make them pay more, on the grounds that their erstwhile labour had long since been employed on its own affairs, and that, as planters had fulfilled their terms of contract, any fur ther responsibility in regard to repatria tion was on the Government.