§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the question of the introduction of Indian labour into the Transvaal, under indenture, for employment on railways, is still under consideration; whether in that case the Government of India maintains the demand it made in 1903 for improved treatment of Indian traders and others, as conditions upon the fulfilment of which its consent to such introduction of Indian coolies into the Transvaal would depend, or whether the conditions laid down in 1903 were in 1904 withdrawn.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The question of the introduction of Indian labour into the Transvaal may now be said to have lapsed. The conditions of 78 the Indian Government have never been withdrawn.