§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the recruiting of labourers in the island of Barbados by the firm of Arana Brothers for service on the River Putumayo; whether he can state the number of these labourers; whether the Government of Barbados imposed any guarantees regarding their treatment, length of service, or wages; whether the Colonial Office is aware of complaints made by these labourers to the effect that they have been compelled to commit crimes upon the native Indians of the district so as to force the native Indians to collect and deliver rubber to Arana Brothers and their successors, the Peruvian Amazon Company, Limited; whether he has made any inquiries into these complaints; and whether he is taking any action regarding them?
Mr. HARCOURTI understand that 196 labourers were recruited by a recruiting agent in Barbados for Mr. Abel Alarco, a partner in Arana Brothers, between 21st September, 1904, and 5th June, 1905, since which date no emigrants have been recruited in Barbados for South American ports. The labourers in question were recruited for several places on the Amazon River both in Brazilian and Peruvian territory, and I am unable to say exactly how many were engaged for service on the Putumayo River, though I believe forty-six Barbadians engaged to serve in the rubber district of Peru. The Emigration Acts of Barbados contain various provisions for the protection of emigrants, among others one requiring the contract of service to be executed before a police magistrate. The agreements entered into on this occasion provided for free passages, wages at the rate of £2 1s. 8d. a month, and free food, medicine and lodging, and for the eventual repatriation of the labourer on the completion of his 19 two years' service. Complaints have been made by some of these men, and have been inquired into; and the result of the inquiry has been communicated to the Governor.
§ Mr. ASHLEYMay I ask what facilities these labourers have in Peru to communicate with the British Consul if necessary to do so?