§ * MR. REGINALD LUCAS (Portsmouth)said he wished to ask whether, in view of certain statements made the previous night, the Colonial Secretary was able to say if there had been any diminution in the number of white men employed 1000 in the Transvaal since the arrival of the Chinese.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and LeamingtonI am informed that in round numbers 1,000 Chinese are at present employed at the Rand mines. Before the war at the Comet Mine 133 white men were working as superintendents. The number went down in consequence of the shortage of native labour to thirty-four. Since the arrival of the Chinese, that number has increased to ninety-six, and the number who it is estimated will be employed when the Chinese are thoroughly familiar with their work will be 143.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)The right hon. Gentleman says in regard to the Comet Mine that the number of white men employed is less than before the war, and that it is going up. But, in answer to a Question the other day, did he not say that a larger number of white men, taking the mines all round, are employed now than before the war, and, therefore, must not the Comet Mine be an exception to the case?
§ * MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman say, is it true, as reported in one of the evening papers, that the wives of Chinamen are not allowed to wear their pigtails when landing in South Africa?
§ Adjourned at seventeen minutes before Six o'clock, till Monday next.