§ 78 Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the protests published by the bishops of British East Africa against a circular recently issued instructing administrative officials to exercise pressure upon the natives in order to force them to labour for private interests outside the reserves; whether he proposes taking any action in the matter;
§ (2) whether the circular issued in British East Africa instructs administrative officials to encourage labourers to work in the interests of private persons, including women and children; whether this circular was submitted to the Colonial Office before being issued; and, if not, whether he will give instructions for its withdrawal pending consideration by His Majesty's Government?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)I have only just received a copy of the circular referred to in the Noble Lord's two questions. I will certainly give the matter my most careful consideration. I am not. however, prepared pending such consideration, and before ascertaining in what spirit the instructions have actually been carried out, to direct the withdrawal of the circular.
The representations of the bishops are directed mainly against the use of native chiefs and headmen to induce natives to work outside their reserves and against influence of this kind being used at all in the case of women and children. They recognise that in present circumstances a supply of labour is essential to the country and desirable in the interests of the natives, and they actually advocate the adoption of the principle of compulsion under certain safeguards.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWas the issue of this circular inspired from home, from the Colonial Office, and can we have it laid upon the Table of the House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI quite under-circular was certainly not inspired from home. As I explained just now, I have only seen it within the last few days; but I will consider the question of laying it
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKDoes my hon. Friend not agree that it is a very grave departure from precedent, so far as our Colonial Administration is concerned, that any pressure should be put on the natives to work for private interests?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI quite understand the legitimate anxiety of the Noble Lord and other hon. Members of the House that no illegitimate pressure should be put on native chiefs which would cause them practically to force the natives to labour for private employers, but I should have thought it was quite in the interests of the natives and the country generally—
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKThat they should be forced to go out!
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYAnd not unreasonable that it should be explained that they can labour for private employers so long as no force or illegitimate pressure is applied.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that this circular does bring pressure?