16
?
Labour Conference.
again.
Essword
30/1/28
Mr. Ellis asked me to look at this
Now that I have seen the actual word-
ing of the Cabinet conclusion, it does not
appear that read literally it prevents us
approving the proposals either for Sarawak
Ich
or British East Borneo; it simply states
that it was impossible to acquiesce in the
introduction of Chinese labourers in the New
Hebrides. This may mean that the Cabinet
objected to the introduction of Chinese
labour as a fresh thing and in organised
fashion. It does not necessarily involve
any objection to indentured or other assisted
labour generally.
Since, however, the Cabinet objected
to the introduction of Chinese labour in the
New Hebrides, it may be taken that they would
also object to the encouragement of Chinese
immigrants into any other British territory.
This still, however, does not prevent the
approval of the Dutch scheme as it may be
regarded as the Netherlands' own affair
whether they allow Chinese immigration or
not.
Probably, also, although the method
of obtaining the labour is not specifically
referred to the Cabinet
had in mind the
general objections to indentured labour and
this objection applies equally to scheme s
for immigration to British or foreign
territories