§ SIR BRAMPTON GURDON (Norfolk, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed that the Chinese labourers imported into the Transvaal should be accompanied by their wives. May I also ask why the provisions with regard to the wives and families which appeared in the first draft have been omitted from the last?
§ * MR. LYTTELTONThe Ordinance provides that the families of labourers shall be subject to the same conditions as govern the introduction of the labourers themselves and also for their prompt repatriation in case of the labourer's death. Power is also given to the Lieutenant-Governor to make regulations for the introduction, repatriation, and control of the families of labourers, and these regulations will be subject to the sanction of the Secretary of State. My intention is to take precautions that all reasonable facilities shall be given for the reception and accommodation of the families of labourers. It is only a surmise, but I imagine the provisions introduced in the first draft of the Ordinance, and which I think affected Clauses 13 and 14, have been omitted because provisions which had been placed in the regulations rendered them surplusage.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)Are we to understand that all Chinese labourers that go from China to the Transvaal are to have the option of bringing their families with them if they wish?
§ [No answer was returned.]