VIII.—The Labour Question.

Until the native Tahitian acquires the habit of industry, cultivation on any extended scale must be done with imported labour. Many years ago Chinese prison labour was introduced here, some 1700 men being landed; but the large majority of these have found their way back to their native country. The most of the work on the island is at present done by 300 imported Polynesians and 500 Chinese—the latter raising all the vegetables that are consumed. The further importation of Chinese is prohibited by law. There is ample scope in Tahiti for a large Plantation Company, who might secure Coolie labour, or if they preferred Polynesian labour, might obtain and employ it without those vexatious restrictions which the humanitarian British Government imposes in British Colonies.