§ MR. MACKARNESSI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to increasing the supply of Native labour for the gold mines, the Government of the Transvaal has opened negotiations with the various Governments in South Africa; and, if so, whether he can say how far the Portuguese authorities are willing to go in order to meet the wishes of the Transvaal Government by giving full facilities for recruiting in Portuguese territory.
§ MR. HARCOURTThe Transvaal Government has not at present made any 1495 communications to the Secretary of State on the subject of their labour policy.
§ MR. FIENNESArising out of that Answer, in order to prepare the abnormally sensitive and humane minds of the hon. Member for South Berks and others would it not be advisable for the Under-Secretary for the Colonies to give some information to the House concerning the evils that are attendant on free recruiting in South Africa?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. MACKARNESSI shall repeat my Question.