§ MR. NIELD (Middlesex, Ealing)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of African natives employed in the Witwatersrand mines, and what proportion are Portuguese subjects; whether the work performed by such last-mentioned natives is similar in character to that discharged by Chinese coolies; whether the importation of these Portuguese Kaffirs is subject to any and what regulations; whether there is any substantial difference either in the methods and regulations relating to the housing and control, in and out of working hours, between these Kaffirs and the Chinese coolies who are working under the terms of the Chinese Labour Ordinance; and, if not, what steps the Government have taken, or propose to take, in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) On 31st March 84,409 African natives were employed on the Witwatersrand gold mines, of whom about 60 per cent, were Portuguese subjects. The work performed by them is similar to that performed by Chinese coolies. These Portuguese Kaffirs are engaged on yearly contracts. As regards housing and control, the position of both classes of labourers is described by Lord Selborne, in his despatch of 18th September last, published in Cd. 2786, as being similar, but there is the substantial difference that the Chinese labourers are brought in under the terms of the Labour Importation Ordinances, which place them under certain special restrictions and disabilities.