§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has disallowed the new-Masters' and Servants' Ordinance passed by the Kenya Legislature; if so, on what grounds; and whether any legislation on these lines is to be considered?
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Mr. THOMASIn 1918 the Resident Natives Ordinance was passed to regularise the position of natives living on a European farm by giving a definite tenancy in return for which the tenant worked for wages on the farm. Some difficulty was experienced in giving effect to the labour obligation, and the new Ordinance was passed placing such resident natives under the general Masters' and Servants' Ordinance and requiring the removal of all such resident natives who do not enter into a contract of service under the Masters' and Servants' Ordinance. The new Ordinance appeared to be open to objection in various details, apart from the general principle to which I could not agree, and I felt that I had no option but to advise that His Majesty's power of disallowance should be exercised. The Governor has been so informed, but it has at this same time been made clear that it will be open to him to place before me any suggestions which, on the advice of the Chief Native Commissioner, he may de Sire to make for removing the defects in the operation of the previous Ordinance.