HC Deb 24 February 1932 vol 262 cc374-5
24. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in Inquest No. 10 of 1930, held at the Rendul magistrates' court at Kisumu, Kenya Colony, it was proved that a European employer had withheld wages for four periods of labour from a Kavirondo Native named Asuna, who was found to have committed suicide after a bullock had been taken away from him for the payment of his cousin's poll tax; and whether action has been taken by the local government against this employer for withholding wages or what official notice has been taken of this case?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I have seen the finding of the Court which records that Asuna was owed four tickets by a European employer. Summonses had already been issued against this employer in respect of several claims for wages, but the prosecution was dropped on payment of the amounts due. The verdict of the court does not suggest that Asuna's act was in any way attributable to the delay in the payment of his wages.

Back to