THE MAKQUESS OF RIPONMy Lords, I rise to call attention to the grave danger which appears to exist of the introduction into South Africa of the disease known as beri-beri, and to ask what measures His Majesty's Government are taking to prevent its spread. A few days ago, in the course of a discussion which arose upon the Resolution moved by my noble and learned friend, Lord Coleridge, I made some observations upon the appearance among the Chinese coolies who have been conveyed from China to South Africa of the dangerous disease known commonly by the name of beri-beri, but I did not ask for any statement on behalf of His Majesty's Government then because the circumstances of the debate precluded it; and I had no intention of raising the question again so soon. But I learn through the usual channels of public information that the other House of Parliament appears to lie under a sort of enchantment, in which it is in the power of any single Member of that House, however little known to fame, to prevent full and complete discussion of urgent and important questions of this kind for the rest of the session. In these circumstances I feel bound, as we at present, at all events, enjoy our full constitutional liberty in this House, to raise the question here, because it is one which interests a large portion of the public in this country and upon which some distinct and clear information is very desirable. Of course, in the House of Commons a Question can be asked, but we all know that under the very necessary Rules in that House in that respect there is not that freedom in putting Questions which we possess in this House. The Question can only be put in a few words, and can be answered as shortly as it may suit the Minister to answer it; but this is a question on which a somewhat wider expression of opinion is required before we can expect an answer from His Majesty's Government such as would satisfy the reasonable wishes of the public for information.
It is now more than a week since the first of these Chinese labourers arrived at Durban, and when they did arrive there the information was telegraphed to this country that the disease of beri-beri had broken out amongst them; that three, I 1108 think, of the Chinamen had died during the voyage, and that it was evident that the disease existed on board the transport. I have seen, since then, remarks which would tend to imply that some persons have doubts as to whether beri-beri has really appeared or not. I do not see myself how it can be doubted, but my first question to the Government must be whether they have received from South Africa any official information of the outbreak of this serious disease; and next, what are the steps that are being taken for the purpose of providing, so far as can be done, against the danger of the spreading of the disease. For this disease, my Lords, is a very dangerous and infectious one. It spreads under certain conditions very rapidly, and proves fatal in many cases. In a case like this, where a succession of these Chinese labourers are coming from China, where a succession of them are already proceeding from this very vessel upon which the disease has broken out to Johannesburg, it is of primary importance that the matter should be dealt with at once, otherwise there is the greatest possible danger that the disease will take hold of the mining population of Johannesburg and produce very serious mortality. Therefore, my Lords, I want to know what is being done to meet this evil.
There is in this morning's newspapers the statement that another batch of 330 Chinese labourers, the last of the men who arrived by the steamer "Tweed-dale," entrained for Johannesburg yesterday without incident, and that there has been another death from beri-beri, making six in all. I cannot use the word "entrained" for Johannesburg without making one remark. I do not believe myself that the mode in which, those men are conveyed through the Colony of Natal—locked up, prevented from moving, surrounded by police—I do not believe that that mode will be found to be legal in the Colony of Natal. Of course, it is legal under the Ordinance in the Transvaal, but the Transvaal Ordinance does not apply to Natal, and I very much doubt whether there is legal ground for such proceedings. I do not, however, press for a reply on that point, as I have not given notice of 1109 the Question. But with regard to the disease, there is this further statement from Johannesburg—
Four additional suspected cases of beri-beri have broken out at Johannesburg among the newly-arrived Chinese labourers. The men are but slightly ill and are able to exercise.Therefore, there are deaths at Durban and an outbreak of the disease at Johannesburg. You have a large number of men who have been cooped up—necessarily cooped up, I admit—on the vessel with the persons who were sickening of beri-beri, and, therefore, it is a matter of the first importance that instant steps should be taken to prevent a spread of this disease. There are still some Europeans employed in the mines at Johannesburg, and they are liable to take the disease just as much as the Chinaman or the Kaffir.This disease has been known, unfortunately, of late years in this country. It has attracted a great deal of attention among those who feel an interest in miners here, and there is, of course, a danger that it may spread from Johannesburg to the British Dominions at home. That, therefore, constitutes another reason—though I think the spread of the disease among the natives is quite as serious—why this matter should be speedily dealt with. As this disease has appeared in England, the medical faculty here know all about it. His Majesty's Government have only to consult experts in this country to know what is the best mode of dealing with it. I can conceive, though wishing to speak with all respect of the medical faculty at Johannesburg, that they may not be as competent to give opinions as to the proper mode of dealing with this matter as those to whom the Government at home might refer; and; therefore, I do say it is of the first importance that this question should be dealt with at once, that whatever steps are required should be instantly taken on the spot in order to prevent what would be really a very serious catastrophe, both to South Africa and possibly to this country, it this fatal and mischievous disease were to be introduced into the mines at Johannesburg.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of LANSDOWNE)My Lords, in the unavoidable absence of the Duke of Marlborough, I have been asked to answer the Questions of the noble Marquess. In the first place, let me say that the noble Marquess does His Majesty's Government a great injustice if he supposes that either in this House or in the other House there is any desire to withhold information as to the facts connected with this outbreak of disease. I am afraid am not able to add much to the noble Marquess's knowledge on the subject. Our attention has, of course, like his, been drawn to the statements which have appeared upon the subject in the Press, and a telegram has been sent by the Secretary of State to South Africa asking for information as to the outbreak, and as to the measures which were being taken for coping with it; but up to the present no official information on the subject has been received. It seems, however, clear that the case is one in which extraordinary precautions of some kind will be called for, I and have no doubt we shall learn in due course what those precautions are likely to be. I spoke of extraordinary precautions. The noble Marquess will find in the Papers which have been already supplied on the subject of Chinese immigration the ordinary precautions which are taken to prevent the introduction of disease by these labourers. Under their contract they have to be passed as in sound health by a medical man. They are obliged to' produce certificates of health, and, if the emigration agent is not satisfied, a further examination must be made by the surgeon of the ship in which they are to travel. Then before the ship is allowed to sail every emigrant on board has to be examined by a qualified medical officer, nominated by the British Consular officer or his delegate. Finally, there is the examination on arrival. It is clear, therefore, that this, contingency of the importation of disease had, to some extent at all events, been provided for. I will take care that any information which is received on the subject shall be placed within your Lordships' reach regret that at the present moment am unable to tell the noble Marquess more. The Government are, of 1111 course, perfectly aware that this disease is a dangerous one, and fully recognise that no pains should be spared to prevent its spreading. I am tempted to add that it seems to me that, in the first instance at all events, it is for the local authorities to place their proposals before us, and it will be our business to see that they are sufficient, and, if necessary, to supplement them by others of our own.
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHThere is another matter to which the noble Marquess has not referred, namely, the care that should be taken to secure that the ships in which these coolies are brought over from China are not infected with the disease. Shipboard is essentially a place to which the disease does seem to cling. It is very necessary that steps should be taken to secure in every possible way that all precautions are taken on board the ships that carry the immigrant coolies, and that nothing is allowed which is likely to facilitate the spread of the disease on board. The mere leaving of it to the local authorities in South Africa will not at all meet the circumstances of the case.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEIt is not correct to say that this matter is left entirely to the local authorities. Precautions are taken before the emigrant is allowed to go on board the ship and when he is on board, but I quite admit that the question which the noble Lord has raised is worthy of consideration.
LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYMy Lords, I wish to make one remark upon the answer which has just been given by the noble Marquess. I think we must all agree that in dealing with local outbreaks of dangerous illness the first responsibility falls on the people on the spot, whose duty it is to take all precautions; and it is because some of us feel this that we are a little surprised that the local authorities, who, according to the Leader of the House, were first bound to take action, have not thought it worth their while or taken the trouble to send any official information to the Government; that it was left to the Government here, who ought to be, I will say, the second line of defence, to take the initiative in telegraphing out, and that, 1112 so far as action has been taken of a remedial character in connection with this importation of labour under, I will not say servile, as that seems to cause offence, but under special conditions, from the beginning the initiative has had to be taken, here, through the impulse of Questions in Parliament. Even now we understand that the Minister responsible, who did give an assurance to the House of Commons on the subject, is asking to be relieved from that assurance. I do think we have a right to urge that the sense of responsibility so properly laid down by the Leader of the House should be impressed so as to result in more speedy action on the part of the persons who under this Government are responsible in South Africa.
§ EARL CADOGANMy Lords, inasmuch as I am probably the only Member of your Lordships' House who has had to deal administratively with the disease of beri-beri, perhaps I may be allowed to say a word or two on the subject. We had an outbreak of beri-beri, when I was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in a prison hospital in Dublin. At first it was dealt with by the local authority, but I was advised that it was a disease which more than any other required immediate treatment. I also found that it was not possible, under the regulations, for the outbreak to be dealt with as rapidly as I could wish, and I thought it my duty to act, I believe, entirely illegally. I took the matter into my own hands and turned the patients from the hospital in which they were located into a disused prison. I ordered the hospital, of course, to be cleansed, and I can say this, which may be reassuring to the House, that though one or two fatal cases occurred, the severity of the disease was mitigated, and in a very short time it entirely disappeared. I believe there has not been a case since then in Ireland. It may be reassuring to your Lordships to know, if we may trust our experience in Dublin, that if this outbreak is dealt with promptly and vigorously it will probably not be as severe and dangerous as seems to be feared.
§ House adjourned at five minutes before Six o'clock to Monday next, a quarter before Eleven o'clock.