In defence of

Archives-November 1944

In defence of contract labour

By H S M Robinson, Secretary of the Melanesian Mission, Sydney

“INDENTURED” is perhaps an unfortunate word - a word associated with the bad old days and, in the minds of so many people, associated with “forced” or compulsory labour. There are not a few who regard it as something akin to a modified form of “slavery” - and, of course, the exploitation of the poor native.

Indentured, really, is merely

another word for contract labour. A vast amount of nonsense is talked and written about the matter and idealists are often a bit of a nuisance. Indeed, many - some known to the writer - don’t seek the facts of the situation, as it is today, but look merely for confirmation of their own preconceived, ill-based ideas.

I do not pose as an expert; but I have travelled much; I have sought the views and experiences of many competent to judge; visited many of the islands of the

South Seas on more than one occasion; know something at first hand of the native peoples of other countries - and particularly those far removed from the usual trade and tourist routes.

I know the views of the missionaries, and their difficulties, and I warmly sympathise with them; the views, also, of the trader and planter. And, frankly, I hold no brief for “Big Business”. All my sympathies are with the native - while having nothing whatever in common with the over-class-conscious product of a

degenerate democracy.

It may be taken that the white man has lost none of his acquisitiveness, and that development will take place - inevitably.

Now, how can this be carried out best in the interest of the native, the real owner of the

land? ! know of the so-called octopus grip of the “Big Firms”. I have met and talked with both sides, and have seen the native as comparatively few white people have seen him.

Just what are the objections to contract labour? What is contract labour?

Is it not merely an agreement between a plantation employer and a prospective native labourer who desires to work on the plantation? The contract or agreement has been drawn up by the Administration - the conditions provide ample security for the native. The employer is assured of labour, for a pre-determined time - failing which he could not carry on. Even a member of the class-conscious coterie informed the House of Representatives that “the favourable attitude of the natives to the cause of the Allied Nations is believed by the Government to be due, to a great extent, to the sympathetic administration of native affairs by past administrations ... etc.,” which doesn’t go to show any undue anxiety concerning ill-treatment or exploitation. No - the native knows full well that his position is secure, and that he can obtain immediate redress from the local DOs. ■