In the Tribune, the new Liberal daily which made an
auspicious first appearance on Monday—the Black Monday of Protection—we note a very useful analysis of the provisions of the British Guiana Labour Ordinance, which Mr. Balfour and other supporters of Chinese labour have declared to be substantially identical with the Transvaal Ordinance. We may point out, first of all, that the Indian coolies are imported into a tropical country to do work which white men cannot do, whereas the Chinese coolies are imported into a non- tropical country to do work which the mineowners declare white men will not do. The Tribune further establishes the important points that whereas the Indian has a fixed minimum wage, the Chinaman has none. The Indian, though required to live in a plantation, has a right, based on the earning of a certain minimum, to leave of absence, whereas the Chinaman is confined to his compound, and can get out only by special permit. We cordially welcome the appearance of the Tribune, because it helps to reduce the disproportionate predominance of Pro- tectionist newspapers in London, to whose misrepresenta- tion and ostrich-like incapacity to read the signs of the times the dad ele of the Unionist party is largely attributable.
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