§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether any coloured labourers have been recruited in Barbados through the Government emigration agent for service in the Putumayo district of the Amazon since 1905; if so, in what years and how many in each year; and whether warning has been given to emigration agents that no coloured labourers should be recruited for this district or for the firm of Messrs. Arana; and (2) how many of the 196 coloured labourers recruited in Barbados in 1904–5 by Messrs. S. C. Arana for work on the Putumayo have returned to the Colony; and whether he can give any Report on these labourers, especially if they were properly treated by their employers, and if the conditions of their engagement were observed?
§ The SECRETARY OF STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)Between September, 1904, and June, 1905, 257 emigrants were recruited in Barbados for various South American countries. In November, 1909, the Colonial Office was informed by the then Governor of Barbados that no emigrants had been recruited for South American ports since June, 1905, and I have no reason to believe that any have been recruited since. The Government of Barbados has ample power under the Colonial law to prevent recruiting, and it has also issued warnings against accepting employment in South America. Information as to the return of some of the 196 men recruited in Barbados for Putumayo will be found in Sir Roger Casement's report, which also deals fully with their treatment by their employers. The report shows that certain individuals elected to stay in South America. I have asked the Governor of Barbados to inform me how many of the 196 men have returned to Barbados, but have not yet received his reply. A complete answer to this question will obviously involve very careful and possibly protracted inquiries by the local authorities, especially as some of the men in question were not natives of the island.