HC Deb 10 March 1904 vol 131 cc743-4
MR. HERBERT SAMUEL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes at an early date to authorise the importation of Asiatic labourers into Rhodesia under the pro visions of the Ordinances already sanctioned.

MR. LYTTELTON

I am not prepared at present to make a definite statement on this matter, which is under consideration.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has declined to sanction the importation of Chinese labourers into Rhodesia under any Ordinance or Ordinances.

MR. LYTTELTON

I have not as yet felt justified in assenting to the issue of the notice which, under the Ordinance No. 3, of 1902, is a condition precedent to the importation of Chinese labourers. The whole matter is receiving my careful consideration.

MR. MARKHAM

Will the right hon. Gentleman decline to sanction the Ordinance until the people of the Colonies have been consulted?

DR. MACNAMARA

Shall we have an opportunity of seeing and debating the Ordinance before sanction is given to it?

[No answer was returned.]

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

Does the Ordinance differ from the Transvaal Ordinance?

MR. LYTTELTON

Yes, Sir.