§ 24. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the Southern Rhodesia Government to allow the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union to organise native labour in Southern Rhodesia; and if he will state whether the previous consent of the High Commissioner was obtained?
§ Mr. AMERYI have seen reports in the Press, but I have no official information on the subject. I am unable to say whether there has been any communication in the matter between the Governor of Southern Rhodesia and the High Commissioner for South Africa, nor indeed is it apparent that any such communication was in the circumstances necessary.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that the Government of Southern Rhodesia is solely responsible for the conduct of native affairs in Southern Rhodesia, or have we still reserved to this country powers of supervision?
§ Mr. AMERYYes. I think under Section 41 of the Southern Rhodesia Constitution there are certain limitations to the full powers of the Rhodesia Government in dealing with these matters, but I do not understand that that arises on this question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThat is the point I want to ask about. Does the right hon. Gentleman concede that we have any right to interfere with the attitude of the Southern Rhodesia Government towards coloured workers; are we debarred from discussing that question in this House; or are we still under the reservation entitled to call the attention of the Rhodesia Government to what we consider to be an injustice?
§ Mr. AMERYI am not aware of the detailed circumstances, but I think that the Southern Rhodesia Government in the 802 exercise of their administrative discretion can refuse to allow any particular union to organise native labour, but this does not, as I understand, raise the particular reservation in Section 41 of the Rhodesia Constitution.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODNone the less are we not entitled to ask questions in this House on this subject in order to do what we can to protect native interests in Rhodesia?