§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a colony of Kroo boys settled in Sierra Leone over 20 years ago, and have since formed the seafaring community of the colony; that the Governor of the colony has decided to deport a number of these boys, although no charge of any kind has been made against those whom it is proposed to deport, beyond that they have criticised the conduct of their Kroo chief in many matters; and will he take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have received no information of any decision on the part of the Sierra Leone Government to deport Kroo men from the colony; and I will ask the Acting Governor for a report on the matter.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, under a local ordinance in Sierra Leone, the chief of the Kroo community is empowered to take 1s. per head from the wages of every Kroo boy engaging for service upon sea-going vessels; that, recently, this Kroo chief has demanded an additional 1s. per boy, with the declared intention of remitting this to the neighbouring Liberian Government: whether the Liberian Government admits receiving portions of the money so exacted, and that this taxation of persons domiciled in a British colony, on behalf of a foreign Government, has led to a good deal of dissatisfaction amongst the members of the tribe: and will he take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the remainder, I have no information, but will ask the Acting-Governor to furnish a report.