348 TRINIDAD. 



redress for any real or imaginary wrong they might have 

 suffered, they on many occasions — and doubtless through igno- 

 rance — resisted the just claims of their employers. Some of the 

 indolent among them would simulate illness in order to escape 

 the necessity of labour, and yet would exact or expect the full 

 allowance of food to which they were entitled in health. If I 

 may judge of the Chinese from the few hundreds introduced 

 here, I must say that they are proud, stubborn, and deceitful, 

 bearing rebuke with impatience, and prone to revenge and 

 suicide ; they are also much addicted to stealing. On the other 

 hand, when so disposed they worked hard, steadily, and well ; in 

 fact, they understand the tillage of the soil better than any 

 other class of labourers we ever had ; and they avail themselves 

 of the smallest spot allowed them on estates to cultivate provi- 

 sions. They are highly praised by some of the planters as even 

 the best class of labourers, and are easily acclimatised. But it 

 cannot be denied that the first importation of the Chinese did 

 not, at the outset at least, succeed well, not being, I think, car 

 fully selected; and we had, during the first months of th 

 introduction, a repetition of the same difficulties which attend 

 the initiation of the first imported Coolies. 



I am aware that paid immigration is denounced by so 

 persons as an artificial system, which, as such, should be discon 

 fcinued. Undoubtedly paid immigration is an artificial means of 

 supplying labour where population is scarce, but recourse has 

 always been had to that system with a view to developing the 

 resources of a new country. It has its drawbacks, but it has 

 also its advantages, in which the immigrant shares as well as 

 his employer. The great drawback is the temporary alienation 

 by the immigrant of a portion of his freedom, inasmuch as he 

 is bound to reside on some estate, and to do a certain amount of 

 work, for which, however, he receives fair wages. On the other 

 hand, his employer is bound to supply him with proper lodgings, 

 and to take care of him and his children, both in sickness and 

 health. After a term of industrial residence, he recovers his full 

 freedom, and can adopt such course as he may consider more 

 profitable and congenial to his taste. He has a right to a return 

 passage home, but here in Trinidad can commute his return 

 passage for £5 in money and five acres of land. Not a few 

 make money during their indenture; and as long as the immi- 



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