§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If his attention has been directed to a paragraph in the "New York Times," dated 30th May, which stated that a ship had arrived at Kingston, Jamaica, to carry back Coolies who had been serving under an indenture for employers in the parish of Charleston, and who, during the time of their servitude, had deposited large sums of money in the hands of the immigration agent for safe keeping; whether, on asking for it, they were told he could not pay it to them, and they were thereby defrauded; if it be true 1913 that the Governor of Jamaica refused to give protection to the immigrants in the matter, though the Chief Justice had stated they were entitled to be paid; and, further, if they have been paid?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, the hon. Member has been good enough to send me the article in The New York Times upon which this Question is based. Iliad heard reports that a sub-immigration agent in Jamaica had improperly received money, by himself or his son, from the Coolies for whom he was responsible; but I knew nothing of the other statements quoted from the article, and I have at once directed the Governor to supply me with a full report on the subject.