§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Legislative Council of Southern Rhodesia has, in its present session, passed any resolution on the subject of the importation of Chinese labour into that territory; and, if so, whether he will state what were the terms of the resolution, and how many of the elected members voted for and against.
§ MR. LYTTELTONI am not aware that any resolution on the subject has been passed as yet.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the difference in the conditions in the Transvaal and of Rhodesia, an opportunity for discussion in this House will be afforded before he sanctions the importation into Rhodesia of Chinese indentured labour.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I think have already answered the same hon. Gentleman on this very Question. The Answer gave was this. I did not understand that any question of principle was raised by the introduction of Asiatic labour into Rhodesia which was not equally raised in connection with the same policy in the Transvaal, and in these circumstances did not think a separate discussion on Rhodesia necessary or desirable. I think that Answer still holds good.
§ MR. TREVELYANIs not some difference to be found in the fact that Lord Milner was in favour of the introduction of Asiatic labour, whereas Sir Marshal Clarke was opposed to it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the hon. Gentleman wants me to get at facts he must give me notice; but if he wants an answer at once, should say that difference of opinion between these high officials, if it exists to the extent the hon. Gentleman represents, does not amount to a difference in principle as to the question of the employment of yellow labour which would require separate discussion in this House.
§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)also put a further Question which was not quite audible, suggesting that there was a substantial difference between the cases of Rhodesia and the Transvaal by reason of the fact that the Council in one case was nominated by Lord Milner.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not deny that there is a difference and an important difference; but it is not a difference of importance relative to the large issues which have been, rightly or wrongly—wrongly as think—attached to this question of Chinese labour.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Are we to understand that yellow labour, as the right hon. Gentleman calls it, can be introduced into any part of the Empire without any discussion or notice in this House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think the right hon. Gentleman can draw that inference, and certainly he ought not to do so.