31 MARCH 1906, Page 14

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AND CHINESE LABOUR.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."' SIR,—When addressing the Chamber of Mines in Johannes- burg Mr. Chamberlain told the audience that Chinese labour was "both retrograde and dangerous." One would expect a statesman to hold his post and pilot the ship of State till such danger was over; but he preferred letting the stigma of introducing it fall on another, and therefore displayed the political cowardice Lord Hugh Cecil charged him with. He now advocates a continuance of this "retrograde and danger- ous" policy, and, while speaking on the subject in the House of Commons, had the hardihood to ask the Government: "Why, in Heaven's name, can't you be consistent 13 "—I am, Sir, &c.,

H. JEFFERY WALKER.

National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, S. W.