The sun., 1903-08-24

influx of the colored races But the point
at issue in no way affects the purity OF
race or the conditions of employment in
the Commonwealth. The British Post
Office would, therefore, not recommend
grant of postal subsidies to any COM
panies refusing to employ Lascars or
other colored British subjects.
In one of her first legislative enact
ments the Australian Commonwealth has
thus done her best to sever all partner
ship relations with Great Britain in the
vitality important matter Of postal COM
munication, and, at the bidding OF few
extremists, has been guilty OF an un-
warrantable and vexatious interference
with the obligations and policy OF the
Empire.
At the same time, by curious coinci-
dence, Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN finds himself
confronted in South Africa with still an
other phase Of the colored labor problem.
Lord MILNER the High Commissioners,
has asked for 1O, 900 coolies from India for
the Transvaal and Orange River Colony
railways, who are to be repatriated
ut the end of their term of service. His
correspondence with Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN
on the subject is issued in a recent Par
liamentary paper. In telegram in
May he said:
Question OF laborls beginning to assume a really
alarming aspect. There are simply not enough ma
N
growing requirements. and wherever We turn out
side for fresh supplies. with the solitary exception
OF British Central Africa, from which we may get
at most 10000. VIC are met with a non possu'nns'
have To point out that this country has taken
upon Its shoulders an enormous burden OF debt In
reliance on It's enormous resources But IT cannot
develop those resources without labor and II we
are destined to meet with a refusal wherever we
turn to look for labor We must soon be landed In
financial embarrassment The avoidance Of this Is.
II seems TO me- matter OF more than merely local
concern. There Is no doubt that coolies for the
railways would afford us considerable relief by
setting free natives for mines and agriculture.
In reply, Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN points
out certain difficulties. While admitting
that the introduction of coolie labor
would benefit all classes and sections
of the population of the new Colonies,
and that the scheme "is in no sense an
scheme, he stipulates that
the Government must be assured that the
High Commissioner would be justified
by public opinion in taking this step"
He adds that the Indian Govern
ment is not prepared to accede TO the
request for large supply Of Indian
coolies without certain definite moditi-
cations of existing legislative enact
ments with regard TO the treatment OF
Indians in South Africa.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN concludes his re-
ply thus:
The Secretary Of State for India feels strongly
that the position OF British Indians In the two new
Colonies Is most unsatisfactory. and regards the
conditions which he lays down as moderate and |
reasonable and II Is necessary TO convince him that
nIs objections TO the present state of things will be
fairly met by the reforms which you contemplate
De fore It will be possible to enter on negotiations
with the Indian Government with any hope of a |
favorable result"
What with Australia, on one side of the |
world seeking to stop the colored British
subject from even touching at her shores,
and South Africa, on the other, clamor-
ing to be allowed to welcome and to work |
him, Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN task, in pre-
the silken bonds of imperial |
kinship from becoming unravelled, must
be a hard one.