Treatment of Indentured

Labour in N. Hebrides

Letter to the Editor 1 NOTICE that the PIM has commented adversely upon a statement made by a Mr. McAlpine, who claims that natives were improperly treated under the indenture system.

After some years of Islands life, I think there is much to be said against a lot of planters and their methods; but the term slavery, as Captain Cook knew it, is a little too strong. I have seen boys

(natives) kicked, and some fairly sharp practices put over them at times,' by odd planters. But, there are not many of that breed, and the kicking I refer to was performed by certain Frenchmen, who seem to like practising their strong arm African methods.

I have also seen a gang of natives re cruited by a French planter. After ar rival, four of the boys (who were young, maybe 16 or 17) were told they did not cut enough copra for £8 per month wages, as was agreed on, on engagement, so they would only receive £4. This they were compelled to accept, as they could not swim back to their homes on other

islands. It is also a common practice for a planter to hold one gang until he has others on the ground, just to be sure. I have seen boys who volunteered for three months held for 6 weeks over that period, until Master arrived with the new gang again.

Another hurdle the native cannot over come is the plantation store, where the native spends his wages. Master has a Ned Kelly method, and wages and store prices always seem to come out level, and no money goes away from the plantation.

These are but a stray trick or two that Master has.

To give the natives a fair deal, and to keep the dishonest Master in his place, from the time natives are recruited their papers should be in the hands of the officials (British or French) whether in New Guinea or here, and the officials should see they get their rights, and be returned home at the right time, under a penalty of £lOO and imprisonment. For every gang going home one should give a statement to an official about store charges, treatment,and wages agreed up on on engagement, and actually paid at settlement. If any government wishes to stop complaints and give all the natives “a fair go,” this is one way to do so.

I am etc.,

C. Jackson.

Aoba, New Hebrides,

EDITORIAL NOTE.—The practices which Mr. Jackson describes may occur in the New Hebrides. They are not com mon in New Guinea. In Papua-New Guinea the native labourer, from the moment of his engagement until he is returned home, is kept under supervision by Government officials, and is guarded at every point. If anyone is exploited in New Guinea, nowadays, it is the em ployer of native labour, who has to pay enormous indirect taxation, and is threatened with direct taxation.