HC Deb 09 March 1908 vol 185 cc1101-3
MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N.W.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies upon what date the Transvaal Government first inquired of the Secretary of State whether the French Government would be prepared to sanction the recruitment of native labour in Madagascar.

MR. CHURCHILL

The Governor's despatch forwarding Ministers Minute was received on 18th January, but there was a missing enclosure for which we telegraphed and which did not arrive till 22nd February.

MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have yet received from the Transvaal Government the particulars of the conditions upon which they have proposed the recruitment of Malagasy labour for the Transvaal mines; and, if so, when Papers will be laid.

MR. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir; upon the 22nd of February. It is not proposed to lay Papers at present.

MR MITCHELL-THOMSON

Is there no prospect of Papers being laid; is there no intention of acquainting the House with the demands made by the Transvaal?

MR. CHURCHILL

The terms on which the Transvaal Government propose recruiting shall take place in Madagascar are exactly the same as those which obtain for Cape Colony in Portuguese territory; and nothing more nor less. I think it bettor before Papers are laid to wait until a complete statement can be made.

MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)

What is the difference in principle between recruiting in Madagascar and recruiting in China?

MR. CHURCHILL

There is all the difference in the world between recruiting under the special conditions of the Chinese Labour Ordinance and recruiting under the conditions that obtain now. [Cries of "What are they?"]

EARL WINTERTON (Sussex, Horsham)

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what those conditions are?

MR. CHURCHILL

I must refer the noble Lord to the Chinese Labour Ordinance, a copy of which will be found in the library.

EARL WINTERTON

But what are the conditions?

MR. CHURCHILL

The conditions proposed for the natives of Madagascar are those which prevail in South Africa for the recruiting of natives. There is no difference whatever. No special law is needed.