§ MR. ASHTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the Chinese Labour Ordinance, any steps will be taken by the Government to regulate the prices of goods to be supplied to the coolies by the stores in the compounds; and, if not, how they propose to prevent the coolies being mulcted of their wages.
§ * MR. LYTTELTONIf the superintendent of labourers finds it necessary, it will be open to the Lieutenant-Governor to make regulations on the subject, but, as I understand, the labourers will be able to go out to make their purchases. I am in communication with Lord Milner on the subject.