§ 22. Mr. ERNEST BROWNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take with regard to the Bill which is to be introduced into Kenya Colony to amend the Native Authority Ordinance by imposing imprisonment as an additional penalty upon those natives who refuse to render compulsory service?
§ Mr. AMERYThe amendment to which the hon. Member refers is designed to put a stop to the practice of some natives who, when called out for communal labour for the Government, remain at home and commit an offence against the law by sending women and children in their stead. I understand that in such cases, if the offenders are fined, they obtain the money to pay the fine not by working themselves but from the produce of work performed by their women and children; and in these circumstances I agreed to the amendment being introduced.