1Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901

PACIFIC ISLAND LABOURERS.

No. 16 of 1901.

An Act to provide for the Regulation, Restriction, and Prohibition of the Introduction of Labourers from the Pacific Islands and for other purposes.

[Assented to 17th December, 1901.]

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901.

Definitions.

2. In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

“Agreement” means any agreement for service made with a Pacific Island Labourer within or under the Pacific Island Labourers Acts 1880-1892 of the State of Queensland.

“Licence” means a licence under those Acts to introduce labourers from the Pacific Islands.

“Minister” means the Minister for External Affairs.

“Pacific Island Labourer” includes all natives not of European extraction of any island except the islands of New Zealand situated in the Pacific Ocean beyond the Commonwealth as constituted at the commencement of this Act, but does not include—

(a) persons registered under section eleven of the Queensland Act forty-seven Victoria number twelve on the ground of continuous residence in Queensland for a period of not less than five years before the first day of September One thousand eight hundred and eighty-four; or

(b) persons employed as part of the crew of a ship; or

(c) persons possessed of certificates of exemption under the Immigration Restriction Act 1901.

No Pacific Island labourer to enter after 31st March, 1904.

3. No Pacific Island labourer shall enter Australia on or after the thirty-first day of March, One thousand nine hundred and four.

Nor before that date, except under a licence

4. No Pacific Island labourer shall enter Australia before the thirty-first day of March, One thousand nine hundred and four, except under a licence.

Licences not to be granted except as provided.

5. No licence shall be granted except as provided in this Act.

Licences during 1901 and 1902.

6. Nothing in this Act shall prevent the granting of licences as follows:—

(a) During the year One thousand nine hundred and two, to the number of not more than three-fourths of the number of the Pacific Island labourers who have returned to their native islands during the year One thousand nine hundred and one.