kanaka vs. Aboriginal labour in Queensland and elsewhere in Australia (plantations, transportation)

[yofie]

Why was it kanakas (those coming from the Pacific Islands; aka South Sea Islanders) who were used as cheap labour for sugar plantations in Queensland until the turn of the 20th century, and not Aborigines (who were local and probably didn't need as much transportation)? Because kanakas were cheaper, or because their culture was more predisposed to such labour than the Aborigines?

[BCC_1]

There probably weren't enough aboriginals left.

[Ruth4Truth]

Possibly for the same reason that slaves were imported from Africa, rather than use Native American slave labor; it was easier for the indigenous people to run off and hide, since they knew the terrain and knew how to survive in the wild. It's easier to control foreign imported captives.

[Richard1098]

I suppose the Islanders could be more easily lured into and kept in exploitative working arrangements.

Ironically, even in the 19th century there were those who were concerned about Aboriginal welfare; but who looked after the welfare of foreigners?

http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/ass..._Islanders.pdf