§ CAPTAIN ELLICE (St. Andrews Burghs)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what authority the mine-owners call in the aid of the police to settle a strike among Chinese coolies in South African mines; and whether any other punishment except imprisonment or fine can be inflicted on these coolies.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton) Refusal to work is an offence under the Labour Ordinance. I understand that the police were called in to arrest the leaders charged with this offence and to suppress rioting. Besides fine and imprisonment, refusal to work may also he dealt with by the labourer being ordered to be returned to his country of 44 origin at the discretion of the superintendent.