§ MR. SEYMOUR ORMSBY - GORE (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the opposition of Generals Botha and Delarey and the Dutch element in the Transvaal to the Chinese Labour Ordinance has been practically withdrawn.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and LeamingtonMy hon. friend will understand that the answer to this Question must be in some sense a matter of opinion. I should like to say that on 23rd January last a very important and representative meeting of the Boers was held at Pietersburg. The chairman of that meeting said:—"The importation of Chinamen in no way affects the Boers, and I advise you to leave it alone." He went on to say in another part of his speech that if the Kaffirs could be made to work the labour question would not arise. At the conclusion of that meeting a letter was read from General Botha in which he said "that matter (referring to Chinese labour) was one which the Government of the country must settle for themselves." My own opinion, firmly held, is that these extracts which I have read correctly represent the attitude of the Boers themselves.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will get the same hon. Member to put another Question on this subject a little later on.
§ DR. MACNAMARAWill the right hon. Gentleman lay the evidence on which he bases his answer before the House?
§ * MR. LYTTELTONIt is in the Blue-book, and has been in the possession of the House for some time.
§ MR. SEYMOUR ORMSBY - GOREMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the number of Kaffirs is totally insufficient at the present moment?
§ [No answer was returned.]