§ 18. Mr. Pargiterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what methods are used to recruit labour in Nyasaland for work outside the territory; and what encouragement is given by the Government to those methods.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThe recruitment of labour in Nyasaland for work outside the territory is largely done through two agencies. The Witwatersrand Native Labour Association engages labour for work in South Africa and the Rhodesia Native Labour Supply Commission for work in Southern Rhodesia. Both recruiting agencies operate under a Governor's permit which is renewable annually and a limit is placed on the numbers of workers which each may recruit. Subject to that control, the Nyasaland Government encourage these operations, which are directly beneficial to the economy.
§ Mr. PargiterIs this not one of the principal causes, or one of the causes, of some of the unrest in Nyasaland at present, that African leaders are getting more and more concerned at the denuding of their country by cheap labour outside it, labour which ought to be used to build up their country? Is it not time that the whole policy of recruitment of labour in Nyasaland was reconsidered?
§ Mr. AmeryI think the hon. Member misunderstands the situation. Being a 1064 poor country, most of Nyasaland's able-bodied men go in search of better-paid work elsewhere.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs not this one of the reasons why Nyasaland people at present are so unhappy about federation; because they have seen the effects of white domination in Southern Rhodesia and South Africa?
§ Mr. AmeryIt could also be argued that it is one of the reasons why remaining within the framework of the Federation is so important.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that, except to a Marxist, economic conditions are not the only things which influence one's approach to these matters?