The US recruitment agencies for Iraq show that irrespective of the passage of time, some things change little, according to this movie.

In 1899, William Collin, owner of the coastal steamer “Lady Norman” was short of work and began the first sixteen voyages to recruit 1200 indentured labourers to work in the sugar fields.

Not slavery as happened in the past in the USA – but recruitment by inducement that the Queensland colony parliament permitted. The laws expressly forbade kidnapping, force, fraud or cajoling, so valuable items such as cutlery; calico, axes, knives, scissors and waterproof matches induced relatives to sign on family members for $12 per year plus shelter, food and clothing.

The Kanaka labour trade continued until the federation of 1901 outlawed it. The Pacific Island Labourers’ Act required Solomon Island workers to be repatriated by 1906. (The first White Australia Policy).

It is less than 100 years ago that our rural industries relied heavily upon Kanaka labour and many prominent business names made their money because of this cheap form of labour, including Owen Gardener of the Strathpine based Normanby Rum Distillery (1875-1968).

Our Albany Creek family property has a small building adjacent to the main house reserved as the “men’s quarters” for iterant labour (not Kanaka – but the conditions were not much better).

Molasses shipped by William Collin steamers up the South Pine River (the site of Westfield Strathpine). Some of the maize harvested to keep up with the four tons of cornflour output at the Lawnton, Paisley Cornflour Mill from June 1898, was harvested by $12 per year Kanaka labour. (Paisley Drive).

Thanks to Noel Field for the background information

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