§ *MR. BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the steamship "Zambesi" was boarded and taken forcible possession of on Saturday last in 1329 the Surrey Commercial Dock by a mob of 200 persons in order to intimidate her master into breaking his lawful contracts with certain foreign seamen; whether he has received any reports from the police officials concerned as to the identity of the ringleaders of the mob in question; if so, whether he will cause them to be brought to justice; and what steps he proposes to take, whether by affording increased police protection to vessels or otherwise, to prevent a recurrence of such events.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe incident referred to took place on the private premises of the Surrey Commerical Dock Company, who employ their own police; but I have made inquiry and I am informed that the description of the incident which has appeared in the Press is exaggerated and that no disorder occurred. While the "Zambesi" was discharging cargo on the afternoon of the 9th instant a party of nineteen Chinamen arrived, followed by a number of English members of the Seamen's Federation, who protested against the employment of foreigners. A conference took place on board, as a result of which the Chinamen left and the Englishmen were signed on. I am informed further that the "Zambesi" was not taken forcible possession of; there was not a mob of 200 persons; and, so far as can be ascertained, there was no intimidation.