§ 8. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the natives of Mashonaland, Southern Rhodesia, are now being subjected to compulsory labour for the making of roads without receiving any payment of wages or rations whilst at work and without any remission of poll tax; and whether he will say under what legislation this labour is being exacted?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I have made inquiries and understand that certain roads, of about 24 miles in extent, are being constructed in one of the reserves in Mashonaland in order to give better access to dipping tanks and so attract purchasers to whom the natives may sell their cattle. These roads have been made by native cattle owners at the suggestion of the dip tank supervisor; no compulsion has been used and no complaints have been received from the natives.