§ 20. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether seeing that in 1931 the policy of the Nyasaland Government with regard to emigration was stated to be that native labourers should be free to go where they wished without let or hindrance and that recruiting should not be allowed for work outside the protectorate, he can state in what respects the policy has been changed, as announced in the legislative council on 28th December last?
§ Sir P CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Governor's intention, as stated in the Legislative Council, is that, in place of the present system under which natives of Nyasaland leave the Protectorate on their own account and so become untraceable, arrangements shall be made whereby natives intending to take up work in Northern or Southern Rhodesia shall be engaged from a reputable and 366 recognised organisation, and on a proper form of agreement. The Governor's proposal is actuated by the anticipation that in view of the contraction in the local demand for labour and of increased mining activity in neighbouring territories, Nyasaland natives will seek work abroad in greater numbers than formerly. The Governor therefore wishes to arrive at an arrangement, in collaboration with the Governments of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, under which natives who leave the country shall do so on a proper agreement providing for fair conditions of labour, for some portion of their pay being made available for their wives and families during their absence, and for their repatriation on the expiration of their agreements. Despatches on the subject have been received from the Governor and are at present under consideration.
§ Mr. MALLALIEUCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it will now be possible for outside agents to recruit labour inside the territory for work outside the territory.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should like notice of that question. The whole object which the Governor has in view is to see that natives who go out of the territory to take up work get the best possible conditions.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes this mean that a native will not be able to leave the territory at all to seek work on his own initiative?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think so, but I should like notice of any detailed questions when I have had an opportunity of fully considering the despatches.