PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PEC.O.885
21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
262
On Monday, 22nd, they visited the Immigration Depôt, Nukulau Island, then occupied by immigrants recently introduced per steamship" Ganges," and inspected the immigrants and the depôt buildings.
On Wednesday, 24th, the Commissioners left Suva per steamship "Tofua," accompanied by the Agent-General, for the large sugar-growing centre at Lautoka, arriving there on the following day; the Agent-General returned to Suva on 27th.
On 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th, the Commissioners visited plantations and free Indian settlements in the vicinity of the Lautoka Mill.
On 30th, Mr. McNeill, accompanied by the Resident Inspector of Immigrants, Mr. Lord, proceeded by motor trolly on the railway owned by the C. S. R. Coy., Ltd., to the newly-opened district of Sigatoka, some 70 miles from Lautoka, returning to Lautoka the following day. Several of the plantations and hospitals situated in the vicinity of the tramline and at Sigatoka were inspected by the Commissioners, and at Nadi a deputation of the leading planters called upon Mr. McNeill at the Public
Hall.
On the 2nd October, Messrs. McNeill and Chimman Lal proceeded by rail to the Ba District, 20 miles from Lautoka, where they inspected the mill, plantations, and Indian settlements, also visiting Tavua. They were assisted when desired by the Resident Inspector of Immigrants, Mr. Jordan.
On 6th October, Mr. Chimman Lal returned to Suva in the Government yacht Ranadi," owing to indisposition. Mr. McNeill left Ba on the same day by the steamship" Fiona," a steamer owned by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Limited, for Labasa, a large centre of sugar-growing on the island of Vanua Levu. At Labasa the central mill and hospitals and plantations were inspected, and the Government Indian settlements were also visited by Mr. McNeill, assisted by Mr. Disbrowe, Inspector of Immigrants.
On 10th October, Mr. Neill and Mr. Disbrowe left Labasa in the "Ranadi for the island of Taviuni, where are coconut plantations upon which Indian immi- grants are employed under indenture. The Commissioner remained at Taviuni for two days, returning to Suva on the evening of the 14th instant.
On 17th October, the Commissioners visited the Navua District, a sugar-growing centre, returning to Suva on the following evening. The Tamanua Mill, plantations, and free settlements were inspected at Navua.
On Monday, 20th instant, the Commissioners visited the Rewa District by motor- car, returning to Suva the same evening. The Nausori Mill and plantations, also several Indian settlements, including those at Nasinu, were inspected by the Commissioners.
On 22nd instant, the Commissioners left Fiji by the steamship " Atua " for Sydney.
The various data and returns relating to Indian immigration, from the date of the arrival of the first emigrant vessel in 1879, were prepared by the Immigration Department, and delivered to the Commissioners on their arrival.
25th October, 1913.
A. R. COATES, Agent-General of Immigration.
Enclosure 2 in No. 173.
Recruitment. The exclusion of unfit recruits would be in every way a gain. The percentage of women ought to be increased from 40 per cent. to 50 per cent. Speci- ally returned immigrants might be tried as recruiters on salary with bonus.
Housing-On the whole good. The newer and larger quarters with broad verandahs satisfactory. We shall probably recommend that hereafter accommoda- tion shall include some small blocks to increase comfort and facilitate congenial grouping. Washing and bathing places, sometimes very good, may be improved. Gradual introduction of concrete drains desirable.
Medical relief--In general meets requirements of indentured immigrants. In nore remote places, such as Taviuni and other outlying estates, hospitals for single estates or groups are needed. They might be in charge of subordinate medical officers, of Indian extraction for choice, and be periodically visited by District Medical Officer. We note that such hospitals are, in fact, being built.
Medical relief for "free" Indians is as yet unorganised. The rapid spread of a cultivating population on the land has created a new need. Additional hospital
263
accommodation and treatment at outlying dispensaries on fixed days would meet the need. The recovery of fees from any person earning less than about £40 a year is deprecated, except for home treatment. It is better to pay the doctor a higher salary and secure the object in view. The prompt treatment of simple ailments may be obtained by the employment of subordinate Medical Officers with a special local training, or Indian Sub-Assistant surgeons might be attracted.
Prosecutions.-These have happily been greatly diminished. been largely due to the ignorance of employers in the past, and to some extent to They seem to have unavoidable competition between overseers of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company's estates. Employers now show themselves to be able or willing to do with very few. The Immigration Department will have to bring pressure on casual recalcitrant employers. We think that it would be in every way advantageous to empower Inspectors to deal with labour offences concurrently with Magistrates. We informed the Trinidad and Demerara Governments that we should probably recommend that no employer should be permitted to prosecute under the Ordinance without the previous sanction of the Inspector.
We have noticed with satisfaction that the Department has interfered effectively to check ill-treatment and misconduct by employers. This matter will always need attention, especially as young overseers may occasionally suffer not only from inexperience, but from defects of temperament and training.
Wages.-In general the pay is now good. On coco-nut estates it is still low. Overseers seem to regard the legal standard as full pay," and not the minimum permissible. So far (experience has been short) they have failed to induce employees to earn more than the bare daily task wages. If the failure continues the legal standard would need revision.
Whilst wages have gone up, the prices of foodstuff and clothing in the Colony are high. A single man of ordinary industry and physique can, while in health, save about two shillings weekly. A married man's case deserves more consideration. It is desirable to have married men and to encourage childbirth, and ensure the vitality of mother and child. We shall probably recommend that for not less than four months during pregnancy, and after delivery, half wages be paid to women. The ration allowance for children over two years of age might also be slightly increased.
Apart from wages, we shall recommend that managers be urged to allow orderly and industrious immigrants to cultivate small plots, quarter to half acre, on estates. The punishments attached to the system are prominent. It is well to have a recog- nised method of rewarding steady work. The individuals to be selected will be the good men of fourth and fifth years' service. We shall also recommend that in the same way the privilege of keeping cows be conceded to deserving men and facilities afforded. The incomes of these people will be slightly increased, and the food supply on the estate will be cheapened.
Indentures. We think that men should be able to commute as of right on equit- able terms. This will be both just and expedient. Managers with whom we have discussed this have asked that long notice be given, in fact, time to replace the lost man by a new immigrant.
45
It is a not unnatural view, but it takes inadequate account of the rights of the commuter. A manager can replace an indentured man by a free" labourer if the place must absolutely be filled. To obviate serious consequences in the first years of the change the number of commutations as of right on a single estate might be limited to 10 per cent. of the total. In the case of women, the consent of the Agent-General of Immigration, not of the employer, should be required. It would, for instance. be improper to allow a married woman to commute against her husband's will unless his commutation was effected also.
We think that the Agent-General of Immigration should have power to transfer or inter-transfer without the employer's consent. It may be urgently necessary to transfer one or more individuals, and employers benefiting by the system must allow the Agent-General of Immigration to work it as a whole, not in the interests of individuals, but of the Colony: There need be no fear of inconsiderate transfers. Inconsiderate objections from employers are not unknown at present.
Education. Indian education is now being arranged for low fees. Land settlement.-We think this very important. The system should be regarded as one of colonisation, the industrial service being an apprenticeship. The Lands Department of Government should have a smooth working system for providing plots of suitable land to Indian applicants. We think the present system is slow and
33391
3
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.