Mr. KINGasked the Secretary for the Colonies if he will state what amount of the cost of coolie labour for the planters of Mauritius is paid out of the revenues of the Colony?
Mr. HARCOURTThe whole expense of the introduction of an indentured immigrant is borne by the person on whose requisition he has been engaged.
Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cost of the emigration agency in Calcutta for coolie labourers indentured to Mauritius is placed upon the general revenues of the island of Mauritius; and, if so, what is the cost of this particular item?
Mr. HARCOURTThe answer to the first question is Yes, and to the second, Es.3602 for 1910–11, but it has now been decided to put an end to the system of introducing indentured labour into Mauritius, and therefore that colony will cease to contribute to the cost of the Agency.
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§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the policy announced by the Governor of Jamaica, that the whole cost of the introduction and repatriation of Indian coolie labourers shall henceforth be borne by the planters employing them, will be extended to the other Crown Colonies into which coolies are imported?
Mr. HARCOURTMy hon. Friend will see on reference to the Report of the Committee on Emigration from India to the Crown Colonies and Protectorates (Command Paper 5,192) that the question of the cost of the introduction of indentured immigrants and its incidence on various sections of the community is by no means a simple one. The case of each Colony must be considered separately with due regard to local conditions, and in most cases I am satisfied that no sudden change is practicable. Subject to these qualifications, the policy indicated has my sympathy, but I am not prepared to pledge myself to any general or immediate action without consulting the Governments concerned.