165 



Mr. Lake reminds the meeting, that the whole measure 

 was only a tentative one, and that there was perhaps there- 

 fore no need at present for them to pass any resolution 

 regarding its merits. The point, however, which they 

 should strongly drive home, was the non-consultation of 

 this Association by the Immigration Committee. 



Mr. F. G. Harvey believes himself in the minority, but 

 he heartily supports the action of the Immigration Com- 

 mittee. What was $2 or $2.50 per head (the amount of the 

 loss represented) if spread over a number of years, and 

 especially with the labour problem placed upon a sound 

 and satisfactory footing? He considered it a shame that 

 coolies brought into this country should have their pay 

 deducted, especially as they came here to benefit the 

 planters. In conclusion, he was of opinion that the land- 

 ing of a labour force here free of debt would be one of 

 the finest things possible. 



Mr. Duncan supports the last speaker, on the ground 

 that the best interests would be served by following a free- 

 from-debt system. 



Mr. E. B. Skinner also supports Mr. Harvey, stating 

 that there was nothing a coolie hate J so much as being 

 under advances. 



Mr. Parkinson is of opinion that the kangany would 

 charge the coolies, whether they were under advances or 

 not, and there would be no check from the estate books. 

 The planters might find next that they were paying $10 per 

 coolie. But it was the principle that was at stake with the 

 Immigration Committee. 



Mr. Lake says that if they got the country flooded with 

 coolies, the latter would have nowhere to go to in the event 

 of them leaving their employment. If the kanganies were 

 told that they would be dismissed if they made advances, 

 the trouble would cease. 



The Chairman considers that the coolies lived in a sys- 

 tem of debt, and would go on so living. One of the first 

 things that struck him when he first came to this country 

 was the infinitely better way in which labour was managed 

 here, with regard to its financial side, than in Ceylon. 

 There they had a vast floating debt that would have to be 

 written off some dav. He had seen small children brought 

 up and told that they represented $200 or $300. With the 

 new Rule in force, he was sure, they would soon see gangs 

 of coolies going about the country with debts of $40 to $50 

 per head. If planters like to give advances, he did not 

 think that the question of legality would come in at all. 



