HC Deb 12 November 1906 vol 164 cc1048-9
MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have yet succeeded in inducing the Portuguese Government to grant full facilities to the Robinson group of mines in the Transvaal to recruit natives in Portuguese territory.

MR. CHURCHILL

As a result of representations which were made in July last by my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Portuguese Government, a licence was granted to Mr. Holmes, the approved agent of the Robinson group of mines, to recruit in Portuguese territory. It was believed by His Majesty's Government that the issue of this licence would have the effect of securing to the Robinson group of mines the same facilities as were enjoyed by the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association, and this has been throughout and is still our intention. But when Mr. Holmes repaired to Portuguese territory to commence recruiting under his licence, he found that the permission to recruit was in his case construed by the Portuguese authorities as personal to himself alone, and that whereas the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association were permitted under a similar licence to employ a number of sub-agents as recruiters, he was expected to conduct the whole business of recruitment personally and alone. The effect of this decision was of cause to render nugatory in all practical effect the licence which had already in deference to representations of His Majesty's Government been secured. Negotiations are now proceeding with the Portuguese Government with a view to securing for Mr. Holmes and the interests which he represents the effective facilities which have hitherto been refused. Delays have however arisen, and I am not in a position to make any further statement on the subject except that our object is unchanged and the negotiations necessary to secure it will be steadily pursued.

MR. MACKARNESS

asked whether the Johannesburg Chamber of Mines had been exercising its influence over the Portuguese authorities to induce them not to grant these facilities.

MR. CHURCHILL

I have no official evidence of that kind.

MR. DALZIEL

asked whether the net result was that up to the present no labourers had been recruited.

MR. CHURCHILL

I believe that up to the present time no labour has been recruited under this agency to which we desire to see facilities afforded.

MR. DALZIEL

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of making representations to the Portuguese Government on the subject?

MR. CHURCHILL

Negotiations are in progress through the British Ambassador at Lisbon.