§ 28. Mr. PHILIP OLIVERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the deceptions practised upon natives of Liberia in order to entice them on board British ships; and whether, upon the deception being discovered by the captain, showing practices tantamount to slave traffic, there is any regulation making it incumbent upon the captain to consult his firm by telegraph before depositing the men secured by such methods in the territory of another Power?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe hon. Member no doubt refers to the report of the International Commission of Inquiry in Liberia which was appointed by the Liberian Government. I have no reason to believe that any British shipmasters are knowingly implicated in the traffic to which the hon. Member refers, but the attention of those concerned will be drawn to the report with a view to preventing the use of British ships for the purpose. I would point out, that on the 15th December the President of Liberia approved an Act making the recruitment of labourers for service at any place outside the territory of the Republic a misdemeanour.
§ Sir B. CHADWICKDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it likely that there is any British shipmaster who would become involved in the slave trade without immediately knowing what are his duties, and without communicating with anybody?
§ Mr. GRAHAMOn the present information there is no reason to think that, but, plainly, in view of the terms of the report, it is our duty to circulate the information.
§ Mr. McSHANEMay I ask whether the President of the Board of Trade has received any other complaints concerning this matter?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir, not as far as my Department is concerned and of which I am personally aware. This is the only question that has been addressed to me.