1522 IMPERIAL UNITY [PART VIII
the bills of lading and passenger tickets of vessels which had
coloured persons in the crew, but the penalty was void if the
seamen were paid the rates of wages current in New Zealand,
and that proposal was fair and proper. - While recognizing
the rights of domiciled Indians, he asserted the principle
that every race should be relegated to its own zone, though
he did not move it as a separate resolution! The policy was
essential for the future good of the Empire, and the Japanese
already forbade any Japanese subject to be naturalized in
a foreign country.
Dr. Findlay 2 emphasized the economic side of the problem,
comparing it with the exclusion by high duties of cheap goods
from India which New Zealand enforced, and pointed out that
the status quo had been one of theemployment of white labour.
Sir W. Laurier 2 supported the resolution for wider powers,
but asserted that in his view the Dominion already had
plenary powers, but was subject to the royal veto, which
the Imperial Government used freely in shipping matters
only. As to Indian immigration he felt the economic diffi-
culties, and could not encourage it. As to the treatment of
domiciled Indians, they had all the rights of British subjects
which were inherent in such subjects ; if in British Columbia
they had not the franchise, neither had women in England.
In the future, if the economic difficulty disappeared no
trouble would exist.
Mr. Batchelor asserted that prejudice was disappearing
in Australia, and subject to the exclusion policy, which was
unalterable, they were anxious to grant free entry to visitors,
for which purpose the permit system existed, and to treat
residents on the same footing as other persons, e. g. as regards
old-age pensions.
Mr. Pearce ® explained that racial distinctions in regard
to pearl contracts and subsidies in Pacific Island trade were
due to deliberate policy, as sailors were needed for war
purposes. As regards general legislation, authority was
* Cd. 5745, pp. 403, 404; cof. p. 279. Is New Zealand to be Maori ?
* Tbid., pp. 405, 406. * Ibid., pp. 406-8.
Thid., pp. 408, 409. * Ihid., p. 409.
