C
of Detention and turned out day after day to walk the streets without any occupation and ready to avail themselves of any opportunities for mischief that may arise. The time has surely come when the Government should step in and grapple with the whole problem. It may not be possible, it would certainly be difficult to provide work in the Colony for every unemployed white man who may require it. But why should the numbers of this unfortunate and undesirable class be continually permitted to increase? Why should ship after ship be permitted to discharge her European crew here and ship a crew of Chinese in their place? Such a course may commend itself as economical to the ship-owners, but it is very far from advantageous to the Colony. How to deal with the whole question is undoubtedly difficult, but the Government might at least take the opportunity of appointing a Commission to report. If they were to take the evidence of the magistrates, the police authorities, and the harbour authorities, there can be little doubt that some solution would be arrived at. And the question is not one which admits of delay.
555
TA