§ Mr. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Republic of Liberia has by law farmed out to an individual of German nationality the monopoly of supplying Kroo labourers for working outside the boundaries of the republic, and that the attention of the Foreign Office was called in May, 1899, by the West African Trade Association, and again in April, 1901, by West African. merchants, to the tax thereby imposed on British trade and to the hindrances to the trade of our adjacent colonies resulting therefrom; whether any action was taken by His Majesty's Government in consequence of such representations; whether there is a British consul resident in Liberia; and, if not, whether the Foreign Office will consider the advisability at an early date of arranging for proper consular representation there; and whether the Government has made any inquiries of the Governor of Sierra Leone in order to ascertain his views as to the above-named system, its result, and remedies; and can he state how long this monopoly is likely to last.
1229 (Answer.) On the 5th May, 1899, the West African Trade Association drew the attention of the Foreign Office to the concession which had been granted to a German firm of the sole right to supply Kroo boys from Liberia for employment outside the limits of the republic. The Foreign Office was, however, already aware of its having been granted, and had for some time past been in communication in regard to it with the Governor of Sierra Leone, who at that time acted as His Majesty's consul in Liberia. As a result of these communications, the Governor visited Monrovia and entered into negotiations on the subject with the Liberian Government. On the 27th March, 1901, the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, who had been informed of the opening of these negotiations, wrote to ask if they had had any result. In the meantime a draft of regulations for the engagement of Kroo labourers, which the Governor had prepared for submission to the Liberian Government, had been communicated to Messrs. Elder, Dempster, but they had replied that the scheme appeared unworkable. These and other criticisms were sent out to the Governor of Sierra Leone for his observations, and on receipt of his reply it was decided that the matter could be most conveniently dealt with at a conference of the various responsible authorities and those interested in the question. As the Governor is shortly returning homo on leave, it is hoped that an early opportunity may be found for holding such a conference. There has hitherto been no British consul resident in Liberia, the duties of consul there having been discharged by the Governor of Sierra Leone. It has now, however, been settled that these duties shall be undertaken for the future by the British consul for French Western Africa, who resides at Dakar. It is believed that this arrangement will be more convenient than that hitherto in force, and will satisfy all the requirements of British trade; but the question of the appointment of a resident British vice consul at Monrovia is also under consideration. The concession of the German firm expires early next year.—(Foreign Office.)