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of Egyptian bondage. The planter's argument that because they themselves work on the Sundays they are therefore entitled to make their coolies do the same is ex parte. I am of opinion that there is substantial truth in the reports to me that on some of the plantations belonging to Germans, and on them only, the coolies are often treated in a cruel manner; beaten with whips and otherwise ill-treated; for very trifling causes. I am informed that although on some of the non-German plantations, coolies complain, as above stated of the quality of the food supplied them, no cruelty of the kind just mentioned, is used there. But the Government finds great difficulty in repressing this shameful abuse; through the factious opposition of a section of the German citizens whenever their interests seem to be affected injuriously.
Another just grievance lies in the enormously high price charged to the coolies for opium and for which the Government is responsible because they have made it a monopoly so that the holder can charge what price he likes for it.
In view of the foregoing all future agreements should be limited as now to a three years' contract. And nothing will stop present abuses but forcing planters to see that they will not be able to obtain further labour except under great difficulty should coolies now engaged report when they return to China that they have been ill-treated in Samoa.
In conclusion the chief remedy for abuses seems to
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of Egyptian bondage. The planters argument that because
they themselves work on the Sundays they are therefore
entitled to make their coolies do the same is ex parte.
I am of opinion that there is substantial truth
in the reports to me that on some of the plantations
belonging to Germans, and on them only, the coolies
are often treated in a cruel manner; beaten with whips
and otherwise ill treated; for very trifling causes. I
am informed that although on some of the non German
plantations, coolies complain, as above stated of the
quality of the food supplied them, no cruelty of the
kind just mentioned, is used there. But the Government
finds great difficulty in repressing this shameful abuse;
through the factious opposition of a section of the
German citizens whenever their interests seem to be
affected injuriously,
Another just grievance lies in the enormously
high price charged to the coolies for opium and for which
the Government is responsible because they have made it
a monopoly so that the holder can charge what price he
likes for it.
In view of the foregoing all future agreements
should be limited as now to a three years' contract. And
nothing will stop present abuses but the forcing
planters to see that they will not be able to obtain
further labour except under great difficulty should
coolies now engaged report when they return to China
that they have been ill treated in Samoa.
In conclusion the chief remedy for abuses seems
to
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