§ CAPTAIN BAGOT (Westmoreland, Kendal)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information with regard to the attitude recently adopted by the Free Churches at Johannesburg on the question of the importation of indentured Chinese labour.
§ *MR. LYTTELTONI have no official information as to the attitude of the Free Churches at Johannesburg, but according to a telegram published in The Times of the 7th inst., the Witwatersrand Church Council at a meeting embracing representatives of the Baptist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan Churches of Johannesburg and district passed on the 5th inst., by thirty votes to one, the following resolution:—"That, while expressing no opinion on the economic questions involved, this meeting strongly deprecates the Free Church Council's agitation against Chinese labour, and thinks that fuller knowledge will modify the latter's views regarding the conditions of service, which are voluntary and similar to conditions which have long prevailed in South Africa. The meeting suggests that the Free Church Council's efforts should be directed to securing perfect freedom for Christian work among the Chinese."
§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman give us the terms of the resolution passed by the Free Church Council?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!