§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if; he has considered the effect likely to be I caused on Chinese public opinion by the stoppage of further recruiting of indentured labour in China for the Transvaal; and whether he is taking any precautionary measures to prevent the Chinese placing retaliatory restrictions upon the importation of British manufactures.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYHis Majesty's Government are under no obligation to avail themselves of the facilities for recruiting coolies which were granted by the Convention of May 13th, 1904, and I have no reason to think that the cessation of recruiting will have any effect on Chinese public opinion.