§ MR. SLACK (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that one of the conditions of the agreement under which Chinese labourers are being introduced into the Transvaal provides that Sunday labour shall be optional, and to the fact that a conference has been summoned by the Johannesburg Free Church Council (which defended the introduction of Chinese labour) to protest against this condition, he proposes to take any, and, if so, what action in the matter.
§ MR. LYTTELTONThe contract provides that Sundays shall be holidays and that labourers are not bound to work on that day. Under the Sunday Labour Law, no ordinary mining work is done on Sundays, as I have been informed, but only work which is absolutely necessary, such as pumping, repairs, etc. I have not had the conference referred to brought to my notice, but I will make inquiry on the subject.
§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the stamps, etc., are running every day and that the mining goes on on Sundays just the same as on ordinary days?
§ MR LOUGH (Islington, W.)Why is it necessary to do repairs and pumping on Sundays?
§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)Are not these labourers paid on the basis of thirty days per month?
§ MR. LYTTELTONOf thirty working days per month.