MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Southern Nigeria Proclamation, No. 15, 1903, is still in force; if, under its provisions, compulsory labour without payment can be demanded by district commissioners; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will insist that for the future fair payment will be made to the chiefs for all labour requisitioned from them.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe proclamation referred to is still in force. Under its provisions compulsory labour without payment can be demanded by district commissioners. The obligation to give gratuitous labour for public purposes is one established and recognised throughout West Africa. The only possible substitute for it would be the imposition of rates payable in money, as in this country. The introduction of this change is not at present, in Lord Elgin's opinion, either practicable or expedient in West Africa.
§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)Has the present Secretary for the Colonies given sanction to any such proclamation demanding forced unpaid labour as suggested in the Question, or were these proclamations issued before he came into office?
§ MR. CHURCHILLThey belong to an anterior date.