SIR,—The idea of indentured Chinese labour is most repugnant to
those of us who are not " indentured" supporters of the Government. Free Chinese labour, if we stop to " think Imperially," even if it were possible, would appear to be almost equally objectionable while the case for the absolute necessity of either is not proved. What is the alternative ? If British labour is not available, or if economic conditions render it prohibitive, will you permit me to suggest the employment of the surplus labour of Europe ? There is an enormous fund of it, and though perhaps the employment of "foreign cleirils" would not be popular, I venture to think it would be economically sound and politically wise,--always supposing our own people are not to be had. Let the question be considered apart from prejudice. Look at the United States
of America, whose commercial rivalry has been so much in- sisted upon by the advocates of fiscal reform. During the last eighty years no less than twenty million foreigners have emigrated thither, and only in the last statistical year over eight hundred thousand arrived, notwithstanding the immigration laws. The United States has an enormous territory, and requires an enormous population. These people become con- tented and valuable citizens. The British Empire is more enormous, but its white population is not sufficiently large for safety even, and it is steadily losing ground as against the rapidly growing population of the United States, which has some eighty millions to our fifty-five : about.equal to the com- pact population of Germany—our other serious rival—which also has gained over us of late years. Now political economy does not care Where population is made, and so far from being actuated by the narrow and unworthy motive of party politics unjustly attributed to the opponents of Chinese labour, I have hoped to see another America grow up in South Africa,— an America without its slavery and Civil War, and with as little of its colour question as may be. The latest figures show that in one year Italy alone sent forth nearly three hundred thousand emigrants, most of whom went to North and South America. Here is a field for cheap labour for the immediate needs of the mines, and with this friendly Govern- ment it mould no doubt readily be tapped. Italians, too, would be admirably adapted to the work, as instance their employment on the mountain railways and tunnels on the Alps, and on the Nile barrage works. Austria-Hungary also sends forth an enormous contingent of emigrants, and other countries very large numbers. Here is as much cheap labour as Africa could absorb. It would be free and white, and its settlement in the country would result in rapid industrial development, opening up true and valuable markets, which would in turn attract and employ British labour. Is there any comparison between this prospect and that of Chinese labour? Johannesburg in the one case might become a Chicago ; in the other little better than a West Indian island in the slavery days. The " poor mine " argument is not tenable. There is a stronger case for the London County Council employing Chinese labour to erect dwellings at a reasonable rent for our own London workmen, since it is the cost of labour which has so largely enhanced the cost of building. But we are a, Western, State, and we must follow
Western ideals.—I am, Sir, &c., EVELYN ANSELL.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR.".1
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