§ MR. O'GRADYI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that an agreement was entered into between Lord Milner and the Portuguese Government providing that in return for permission to recruit native labour for the mines in the Transvaal from Portuguese territory, a preference in railway rates was arranged for goods being sent up country from Delagoa Bay to Johannesburg whether his attention has been called to the statement contained in the report of the Port Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce to the effect that the preference in railway rates from Delagoa Bay as against East London and Durban ranges from
† See (4) Debates, clvii., 177.167 10s. to 15s. per ton; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)The Secretary of State is aware of the facts referred to by the hon. Member, and the matter is at present forming the subject of negotiation with the Portuguese Government.