contract to any British Colony, it appears to me that, before giving my scheme my support this nature, I think I should first ascertain whether it is the wish either of H.M. Govt or of the Australian Govts that Japanese Contract labour should be introduced into the Australian Colonies.
I am aware that Chinese Contract labour has for some years past been imported into those Colonies & that opinion differs as to the value & desirability of such Immigration. I, therefore, feel that, before allowing myself to be instrumental in the promotion of any measure which might add another difficulty to a question which is already sufficiently complicated I should ask for instruction for my guidance.
I do not myself see any objection to the introduction of Japanese labourers into any of our Colonies, as I believe they would be found to be docile & well behaved & I also think that, in the course of their service in the Australian Colonies, they might acquire knowledge & experience which would prove valuable to their own country on their return. But I need not observe to H. L. M. that all Contract Emigration requires to be carefully regulated & that when it consists solely of males it is open to serious objection on moral grounds. The Japanese Govt will, I think, watch more zealously the treatment