§ 58. Mr. HORRABINasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if the labour agreements used by the Native Recruiting Corporation, Limited, when engaging native labour in Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland are inspected or checked by Government officials of the Protectorates?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)Yes, Sir. In all three territories a labour agent is required, before any native recruited by him leaves the territory, to enter into a written contract with the native. The contract must be attested or signed in the presence of an Assistant Commissioner or other official appointed for the purpose, with a view to ensuring that the contract is fully understood and accepted by die native and is not in contravention of the conditions prescribed by the Government.