§ 14. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with regard to the proposal, on the ground of recent improvements in medical and hygienic conditions, to raise the embargo hitherto placed on the recruiting of native labourers for work on South African mines from territories north of latitude 22 degrees south, the Governments and also the native authorities in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland have been consulted on the matter; whether he is satisfied that the high mortality which prevailed among natives imported from such territories prior to the placing of the embargo in 1914 may no longer be expected; and, if so, on what grounds?
Mr. M. MacDONALDIt is understood that the Government of the Union of South Africa have decided as an experiment to permit the recruitment of a limited number of natives from north of 22 degrees south latitude for work on the mines. The permission of the Governments of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland would be required if it were proposed to recruit natives in those territories, but I am not aware at present that this is contemplated.