Furthermore, if it is cheaper to use local labor rather than the machines and your own labor, that would ultimately translate into cheaper goods for us and larger profits for the company (it could also just translate into larger profits – which would benefit the shareholders).

You can’t have it both ways, unless you want -everyone- to live at the same level of income and prosperity, etc (which with the world’s population and output at any given time, it wouldn’t be the greatest of lifestyles – though it probably would be of a benefit to the majority of this planet’s population).

I don’t agree with the racial slur of “coolie”, but that was the slang of the time and there isn’t much we can do about it today except not use the term in that derogatory fashion. As long as the laborers weren’t being beaten or mistreated, and were paid fairly and honestly (and they were voluntarily working for the wage set – so they agreed to it, whether it was fair or not, I suppose), then I don’t see what is wrong with the use of such local labor, even if there are other methods, easier to use (but more costly) available.