D.—No. 12

4

PAPERS RELATING TO CHINESE LABOUR.

No. 4. His Honor W. Eizheebebt to the Hon. J. D. Oemond. (No. 519.) Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 3rd February, 1872. In reference to your communication of the 22nd ultimo, I beg to state that I brought your communication under the consideration of the Provincial Executive, and that we are unanimously of opinion that railway contractors should be allowed to employ Chinese labour to a limited extent. I have, &c, William Eitzhebbeet, The Hon. J. D. Ormond, Minister for Public Works. Superintendent.

No. 5. Mr. J. Bhodes to the Hon. J. D. Oemond. (No. 271.) Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Napier, 7th February, 1872. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular dated 22nd ultimo, relative to the employment of Chinese labour on the public works now being undertaken in the Colony ; seeking an expression of opinion as to the general expediency of such a proposal, as affecting this Province, and as to the extent to which Chinese labour should be introduced. So far as this Province is concerned, my individual opinion is that Chinese labour is not desirable where other can be obtained, either European or Native (aboriginal). The Natives will be short of food this winter, owing to the failure in part of the wheat crop and nearly all the potatoes; and, I should imagine, would be desirous to work in gangs at any description of piece work. The Chinese labour, if introduced, would not proportionately increase the public revenue, and so assist in eventually lightening the burdeu of the present race of taxpayers, as if Europeans were introduced. The Government scheme, as published and generally understood in this Colony, comprised extensive immigration from the old country and Europe, and public works. Now, if public works alone are to be the chief object of the Government, the scheme must be a partial failure. I would rather that public works should wait on the stream of emigration to be procured from Europe than to avail of Chinese labour, as the latter I look upon as of no assistance in the field of colonization ; and for the prosperity of these Islands we have mainly to look forward to the permanent occupation of the waste places by a good class of European settlers. I have, &c, Joseph Bhodes, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Deputy-Superintendent.

No. 6. His Honor W. Bolleston to the Hon. J. D. Oemond. (No. 799.) Superintendent's Office, Christchurch. Canterbury, N.Z., Sib,— 25th March, 1872.' I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 22nd of January, in which you invite my opinion upon the expediency of allowing railway contractors to employ Chinese labour on the works now being undertaken in tho Colony, and as to the extent to which Chinese labour should be introduced into this Province. I took the earliest opportunity of meeting the member of the Government resident in this Province, and expressing to him the opinion I held individually, which was adverse to the proposal. Should you desire any further or more general expression of opinion, I shall be glad to invite the consideration of the subject by the Provincial Council, which will shortly be in session. I have, &c, W. Bolleston, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 7. Mr. W. H. Lahman to the Hon. J. D. Oemond. (No. 218.) Sic, — County Chairman's Office, Hokitika, 6th March, 1872. Eeferring to your letter, 22nd January, 1872, on the subject of employing Chinese labour to a limited extent in the construction of railways, and requesting my opinion as to the general expediency of such a proposal as affecting Westland, and as to the extent to which Chinese labour should be introduced, I have the honor to inform you that the public works undertaken by the General Government are nearly all finished, and therefore I do not consider it necessary that Chinese labour should be introduced into the country. I have, &c, H. 11. Lahman, The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Chairman of the County Council.