§ MR. A. E. PEASE (York)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government has any information as to the engagement of 500 men, more or less, at Zanzibar, by Mr. H. A. Johnston, Her Majesty's Commissioner, for service in Nyassaland; whether the contracts made with these men are with themselves direct, or with any third 1386 party; and whether Her Majesty's Government can assure the House that no slaves will be allowed to be engaged either by Mr. Commissioner Johnston, Lieutenant Stairs, or any other British subject?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONWe have had no Report as to the engagement of porters at Zanzibar. It was Mr. Johnston's intention to obtain some there for his expedition. He would doubtless, as a British Consular officer, be careful as to his contracts. There is no regulation against the engagement of slaves as porters, provided that contracts are made direct with them, nor would it seem desirable to deprive slaves of the advantage of free labour under European leaders; but it is the duty of the British Representative to do his best to secure that there is no abuse, and that the contracts are not made with the masters. This duty is not confined to engagements made on behalf of British subjects.
§ MR. A. E. PEASEWill the right hon. Gentleman place on the Table copies of the contracts entered into between Mr. Johnston and these men?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe Government have no knowledge of any contracts, and do not possess copies of them. On previous occasions they have had positive reports that all contracts have been made between the persons hiring and the men hired.