HC Deb 18 June 1903 vol 123 cc1309-10
SIR MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbrightshire)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a recruiting agent has been appointed for the Port Herald district of Central Africa; and, if so, will he state whether he is a member of a firm who three years ago were convicted of cruelty to natives imported from Anguruland, which was fined £250, and their manager banished from the country; and whether † See page 943. his remuneration is partly by pay and partly by commission per head of natives recruited.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord GRANBORNE,) Rochester

Mr. Steblecki, well known to His Majesty's Commissioner in British Central Africa as a straightforward man of excellent character and well qualified for the post, has been appointed recruiting agent in the Protectorate for natives going to the Transvaal. He is not a member of the firm referred to. He is employed by the Johannesburg Labour Association, and receives remuneration from them.

SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge University)

Is there any official of the Central African Government who intervenes in this recruiting or who makes representations?

LORD CRANBORNE

Every recruit has to be recruited in the presence of a magistrate.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Is there any interpreter to explain to these unfortunate men?

LORD CRANBORNE

Oh, yes.