Post by NZBC on Dec 27, 2008 19:11:48 GMT 12
The Straits Times, Singapore, is informed that Sir Arthur Gordon is desirous of introducing Chinese labour into the Fiji Islands, He thinks the best advisers to consult would be the planters of Queensland, who have been trying the experiment of dispensing with South Sea Islanders by the introduction of Chinese on their sugar plantations. When the Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Co. 's line was established, special agents were appointed in China by the merchants and planters of both Queensland and New South Wales to engage coolies under contract. Several batches of coolies have already gone , down via Torres Straits, bat the experiment has been anything but a success. The gold diggings are too many for John Chinaman's honour in the matter of contracts. After their arrival they stay some time, till they acquire a smattering of English, make acquaintance with their countrymen, and get information about the whereabouts of tho various golddiggings, and then they make a bolt of it on the first favourable opportunity. The fact is, John Chinaman works harder, and can live more thriftly, than any other man in the world, and he will make money where no other man could do so. Papers past - Daily Southern Cross 30 June 1875