§ 43. Mr. J. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement, in Report No. 1,194 of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast, that special 896 efforts have again been made by the political officers and mine recruiters to induce young men to go down and see the world and, incidentally, work in the gold mines in the south; if he will say what is the nature of these special efforts which are being put forth by the political officers; and whether these efforts are primarily directed towards persuading the young men to go south and see the world or to labour in the gold mines?
Mr. THOMASMy attention has been called to the conditions under which natives of the Northern Territories are recruited for service in the gold mines, and I shall take an early opportunity of discussing the matter with the Governor of the Gold Coast, who is now on leave.
§ Mr. HARRISMay we take it, in the meantime, that political officers will no longer be allowed to secure labour for the gold mines?
Mr. THOMASI want to be satisfied first that that is being done, and I prefer to discuss the matter with the Governor, who is now over here.
§ Mr. HARRISIt states in the Government Report that that is being done.