HC Deb 08 March 1911 vol 22 c1208
Mr. HUNT

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the fact that Japan and China are now manufacturing nations and are increasing the number and size of their manufacturing industries every year, and that their people will work on the average for a few pence a day, he proposes to take steps to protect our own working people and their wages from the importation of competing goods made by this cheap yellow labour?

Mr. BOOTH

Before a reply is given, may I ask if these Japanese people do not consider themselves to be a brown race, and not a yellow race?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer is in the negative.

Mr. HUNT

May I ask whether manufacturers in this country will be allowed to import these Japanese to work at low wages?

The PRIME MINISTER

That does not arise out of my answer.

Mr. HUNT

It does.

Mr. KELLAWAY

Will the Prime Minister lay papers, giving the wages under Protection in those two nations?