§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that some apprehension has beer caused to inhabitants of Ascension Island on account of the company working guano and phosphate having expressed the intention of importing West African labour into the island; and whether this matter will be inquired into and steps taken to allay this anxiety of the inhabitants, in 1540W view of the last experience of this nature when the island was under the administration of the Admiralty?
§ Mr. AMERYRepresentations of this nature have been received from the Eastern Telegraph Company, who maintain an establishment in Ascension. An application has been received from the company working a concession in Ascension Island for permission to introduce labour from a West African Colony, in view of the admitted impossibility of obtaining a sufficient labour supply in St. Helena. The application is now under consideration, but it has been made clear to the company that permission for the employment of such labourers cannot be definitely given pending the completion, to the satisfaction of the Governor, of all the necessary arrangements for their reception and control in Ascension. The Governor of St. Helena has had long experience of West African labour, and can be relied upon to assure himself that adequate arrangements are made in the interests of the present inhabitants of the island.