1
October 14, 1896.]
new
ting
MECHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
business-like synopsis of all the agreements | referring to the Japanese in force, giving the dates of their con- at frequent intervals clusion, their stipulated duration, and their tea, says he thinks it i no exaggeration principal terms, for unfortunately these to say that the American labourer produces agreements are not always published off- more in three hours: than his ↑ Japanese cially and are therefore not readily fellow workman does in what is called a accessible.
“day's work."
ANTI-CHINESE AND JAPANESE
MOVEMENT IN CANADA.
A stection of the residents of British Columbia are petitioning the legislature for measures to prevent the influx of Chinese and Japanese labourers. The petitions with reference to the two nationalities are separate is the same in both, namely, that owing to and distinct, but the principal objection the lower standard of living Asiatic labourers can accept lower wages than white men and that they are therefore a serious menace to the prosperity and material welfare of the country. In the case of the Chinese it is also urged that they are non-assimilative and have no intention of settled citizenship; and that they are, in moral, social, and sani- tary status, usually below the most inferior standard of Western life. In the case of the Japanese no objection is urged against them on moral, social, or sanitary grounds, and whereas it is alleged that the Chinese are non-assimilative it would seem that the Japanese are considered too assimilative, since the petition against them prays that the facility with which they can be natural. ised may be reduced. The total exclusion of the Chinese is asked for, and this it is thought might be effected by raising the poll tax from $50 to $500, but in the case of the Japanese the only request is that the present term of three years re- sidence in the Dominion, requisite as a con- dition of naturalization, be lengthened (in the case of Japanese) to five years; and that such further and other restrictions be im- posed on the immigration of Japanese into Canada as Parliament may deem fit.
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The relative efficiency of Asiatic, and Caucasian labour is, of course, a very debatable subject, not to be lightly de observer. The Japanese habit of resting at cided upon the opinion of a single frequent and irregular periods will be over- come as labour becomes more fully organised and that the people are capable of sustained physical exertion no one who has made a the coal coolies at work can entertain any long 'ricksha journey in Japan or observed doubt are inclined to
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fore, that the defect pointed out by Mr. CONNELLY is one destined very soon to disappear, and that the efficiency of Japanese labour, as regards the amount of work performed in a given time, will soon approach that of Western labour. It is certain, however, that in proportion as that process takes place, or even more rapidly, wages will advance and that the prese disparity in the earnings of the working man in Japan and his follow workman in Europe or America will tend to disappear. And as the rate of wages in Japan ascends the inducement to emigrate will be propor tionately reduced; and, moreover, there is no great surplus population in Japan for which an outlet has to be sought by emi- gration. In countries where labour in scarce and wages consequently abnor mally high, Japanese will no doubt be found in varying numbers, but their presence will prove an advantage. The British Columbian petitioners speak of "the comparatively small adult male
quite an opposite direction to that in which the mark lies. It was only the other day that the same writer informed us that the Eastern Extension, the Great Northern, and the Chinese Telegraph Administration formed a solid combination against any scheme that the next fifteen years may bring for connecting China and America by means of a cable. He tells us now that this very c
cable. is to be laid by two of the three members of the combination against We may be assured that there has been such sudden change in the policy of the Companies, and that our contemporary both in his earlier and later writings has been dependent upon his imagination for his state- ments and arguments rather than upon any
knowledge of facts. The statement that the Eastern Extension and Great Northern are going to lay a cable scross the Pacific as a buttress to their pre- sent monopoly is absurd on the face of it. Possibly they might like to do so on their own terms, but if they engaged in the work it would have to be under conditions which would make the line à competing line, and business concerns do not usually set up in opposition to them selves. The existing lines are adequate to any growth of traffic that is likely to take place for many years to come, and the only reason for desiring a Pacific cable is to secure cheaper rates by competition. Now, even assuming that the Eastern Extension and the Great Northern were desirous of laying a cable across the Pacific, whether under their own names or in a different combina- tion, they would have to enter into agree ments with the Government of the United States or of Canada on the one side and the Government of Japan on the other for the landing of the shore ends, and none of these Governments, we may be assured, would agree to such exorbitant terms as are enjoyed, by the Companies under existing conditions. To Japan, with her growing commerce, cheap telegraphy has become of great importance; she has had experience of There has been during the last few years the tyranny of the present Companies and is great growth in the trade across the Pacific, not likely to put her neck under their yoke between America and Asia, and if no undue again. As to the United States and Canada, restrictions are imposed this growth will we think they may be relied upon not to continue at an increasing ratio, but it must make an altogether foolish bargain. Then, necessarily be retarded by any limitations again, the cable to Japan might be worked placed upon intercourse. As to the alleged in conjunction with the proposed cable from cheapness of Asiatic labour, the ground Canada to Australia, connection being made upon which the proposed limitations are at Honolulu; and the Australian Govern- asked for, the petitioners might study with ments are opposed to the existing monopoly. advantage the report on labour in Japan It is doubtful, indeed, whether the Australian compiled by the United States Consul at line will be a Company affair at all, the Kobe. There has during the last three probability being that it will be laid as a years been an increase in the price of labour Government line to be worked exclusively in Japan varying from twenty-five to twỏ in the public interest. In the same way hundred per cent., and though the rates are Japan might lay a cable as far as Honolulu still low as compared with those ruling in as a Government undertaking on terms to America Mr. CONNELLY is of opinion that be arranged with the Hawaiian Govern- there is no possibility of the labour of Japan ment. This, of course, is merely specula- being utilised to the detriment of American tion, but it serves at least to show that industries. In the first place, he anticipates telegraphic connections across the Pacific that the extension of manufacturing indus- cannot be monopolised by the Eastern Ex- try in Japan will lead to legislation for the tension and the Great Northern at their control of labour, including the prohibition own will and on their own terms. As to the of child labour, and this will necessarily connection between Japan and China, the raise the rate of wages. The amount of China Gazette says the Great Northern's skilled labour in Japan is also so small
are able monopoly under its agreement with Japan has that "artizans
to effect still fifteen years to run and that nothing can increase in their wages more rapidly than be done before the expiration of that time. anywhere else in the world, and Count We think there is a mistake as regards the OKUMA SHIGENOBU, the late Minister of Somebody must have the power to do this.” time mentioned, and that the monopoly Finance, is quoted by Mr. CONNELLY as So the upshot of the matter is that the Legis will expire in 1902, but as our Shanghai saying that "Labour here will soon become lative Council is to be asked to sañotion contemporary professes to be in possession of "without doubt as costly as that of the by-laws authorising the total destruction of
information on the entire subject we "West, if not more costly." Mr. CONNELLY the internal fittings of houses without uggest to him that he would really also reminds us that the producing powering by whom the power is to be
service if he would of Japanese labour as compared with that The Captain-Superintendent of only the
fascinating story "of other nations is an important factor in the Board must take all the efers, but also a plain the labour problem of Japan," and, "after whereas the real object of the
a
an
white population" of the province, and that being the case, and there not being sufficient white men to carry on the fisheries and the market gardening, the presence of Japanese to engage in these industries should be considered valuable rather than the everse.
THE SANITARY BOARD'S NEW...”
BY-LAWS,
The report of the proceedings at the last meeting of the Sanitary Board merits careful perusal and study. The Board has adopted a set of new by-laws, one of which is
intended to deprive householders of any legal rights, vis-a-vis the Sanitary Board, in respect of any partitions, screens, cocklofts,
or other wooden fixtures in their houses, The members of the Board are not all agreed, as between themselves, how the extraordin ary powers they desire to possess should be exercised, but they are all agreed that in some way or other they should be able to do what they like without incurring the risk of being sued in the Supreme Court and cast in damages. The Captain Superinten dent of Police says that "The Board would "never give such power to the foreman of a gang" whereas Dr. CLARK says that “If the "Medical Officer of Health has to go round “and give sanction in each case you wou
56.
of "Health; " and the President says that
have to employ six Medical Of Fall
fi