§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire. Cleveland)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is able to state for how many Chinese coolies shipping accommodation has so far been provided by the agents of the Transvaal mine-owners; and what is the rate of wage which will be paid to the labourers
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and LeamingtonI am not able to say for how many coolies shipping accommodation has been provided. I am still in communication with Lord Milner as to the rate of wage.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the plan of bringing to Hong-Kong all the Chinese labourers 1442 enlisted for the Transvaal will be adhered to or whether they will be shipped from other ports also; whether the official whose duty it will be to explain to the labourers the terms of their contracts has yet been appointed; and, if there is to be more than one port of embarkation, whether similar officials have been appointed to each.
§ MR. LYTTELTONThe Convention with China will provide for the shipment of the labourers from all the Treaty ports. An official will be appointed at each port from which they will be shipped, and two of these officials have been selected.