§ 62. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of native labourers from Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia now working under contract in Southern Rhodesia; the average length of the contract; and the approximate rates of wages?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe numbers of native labourers working under contract in Southern Rhodesia from Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia respectively are 1,699 and 878. The average period of the contract is in both cases 12 months. The approximate rate of wages in the case of Nyasaland natives is 25s. a month, and in the case of Northern Rhodesia natives 18s. a month. The general practice in Southern Rhodesia is to provide free accommodation and free rations for native labour in addition to wages.
§ Mr. RileyIs anything being done to put up the wages of these labourers to the rates that obtain in the mining areas of the Union of South Africa?
Mr. MacDonaldThat is a matter for the Rhodesian authorities, with whom I have nothing directly to do.