§ MR. CAINE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to a memorial of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, to the Government of India, regarding the legislation now before the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, under which no postal contract is to be given except on condition that white labour only be employed on the mail steamers; if he is aware that such legislation will inflict injury on a number of British Indian subjects of the Crown who pursue a seafaring life; and if the Australian Government has any control over the methods by which owners of British steamers may desire to man or otherwise work their vessels.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)I have not seen the memorial in question. We cannot prescribe to the Commonwealth Parliament the conditions which it should require in its mail contracts. It does not attempt to control the manning of British steamers except in the case of steamers seeking to enter into contract with the Government of Australia for the carriage of mails.
§ MR J. CHAMBERLAINThey have a right to control the conditions of their own contracts.