HC Deb 06 April 1905 vol 144 cc639-40
DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information of a strike of 2,000 Chinese coolies on Saturday last, at the North Rand-fontein Mine, near Krugersdorp, the alleged grounds of revolt being dissatisfaction with wages; that, on the police being called in, the casualties among the Chinese were considerable, and that fifty-three coolies were eventually arrested; and whether, if he has no information, he will at once obtain it from South Africa.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON, Warwick and Leamington)

I have not yet received a reply to the inquiry which I made by telegraph on Monday.

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the indentured labourers on the North Randfontein Mine who have served for six months are receiving wages of less than Is. 6d. per day; and whether the Labour Ordinance imposes the condition of a minimum of 36 inches drilled before the Is. 6d. is given.

MR. LYTTELTON

I have not the information for which the hon. Member asks. The Labour Ordinance does not impose this condition. The contract is printed at page 9 of Cd. 2183.

MR. WHITLEY

Are we correct in understanding that the Ordinance provides that after six months service the minimum pay shall be raised to Is. 6d. per day?

MR. LYTTELTON

Certainly; provided that the average pay has not reached a certain height.