WHITE LABOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 933, 4 July 1903, Page 4

WHITE LABOR.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighl - Melbourne July 2.

Despatches dealing with the negotiations between Sir E. Barton and Mr Chamberlain in regard to the carriage of mails were laid on the table of the House to-day. Sir E. Barton requested that notice be given of the termination of the contract, that in future no colored labor be employed, that there be faster speed and lower subsidy, and better provisions for cold storage. He also warned the tenderers that the new navigation legislation would probably compel owners to pay the Australian rate of wages while on the coast.

Mr Chamberlain said he was unable to agree to the white labor dause. He had given notice of the termination of the agreement. Unless the labor conditions were modified, it would be necessary to abandon the idea of a joint arrangement for the carriage of mails. He was sorry the recent legislation in Australia made it impossible for the British Government to be associated in the future with the Commonwealth in mail contracts. Obligations to their Indian subjects precluded them from agreeing to their exclusion on mail steamers solely on the ground pf color. The Imperial Government would now have to make its own arrangements for the carriage of mails. He asks whether the Act prohibited the placing of homeward mails aboard vessels with oolored crews.