Transvaal Labour Ordinance-Regulations laid on the Table before any Chinese are for Women and Children. DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the women and children who may accompany Chinese coolies indentured under the Ordinance to work in South Africa, will be under the same proscriptions as to residence in a particular place, and as to leave of absence being granted only for fortyeight hours by special licence, as the coolies themselves; and, if so, whether the women and children will be subject to the same penalties as the coolies themselves for breach of the regulations. *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON, Warwick and Leamington): The Ordinance contemplates the application of the same conditions and restrictions to a wife or any member of the family of a labourer as far as practicable. The means for carrying out such conditions is a matter for regulations under the Ordinance. DR. MACNAMARA: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what will become in South Africa of the children male and female of coolies, indentured under the Ordinance for work in the South African mines, when they reach their sixteenth birthday. recruited? [No answer was returned.] Transvaal Labour Ordinance-More DR. MACNAMARA: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any communications respecting the Chinese Labour Ordinance were despatched either to Lord Milner or to the Lieutenant-Governor of the Transvaal subsequent to the debate on the Amendment to the Address dealing with the introduction of indentured Chinese labour into the Transvaal; and, if so, whether he will lay upon the Table copies of the communications. *MR. LYTTELTON: I have been in communication with Lord Milner since the debate and propose shortly to lay further Papers. British Indians and the Transvaal MR. BUCHANAN (Perthshire, E.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the before the Third Colonies whether, Reading of the Transvaal Ordinance was taken, there were communications between the Home Government and the Transvaal Government as to the retention of Clause 34 that relates to BritishIndians; and whether the retention of in the Ordinance was sanctioned by the Home Government and the Indian Government. *MR. LYTTELTON: This matter is that clause receiving consideration. DR. MACNAMARA: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can say when he will be in a position to lay upon the Table the Chinese Labour Ordinance and Regulations in their first complete and operative form. *MR. LYTTELTON: I am not able to name a date. *MR LYTTELTON: The answer is in the affirmative. Lord Milner was informed by me on behalf of His Majesty's Government that the clause should be regarded as a temporary provision, and the India Office has not raised objection to its retention as a temporary measure. Chinese Passengers Act. SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge UniDR. MACNAMARA: Will there be any versity): I beg to ask the Secretary of long delay? *MR. LYTTELTON: No. MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire Cleveland): Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the regulations will be State for the Colonies whether the Government will direct the Governor of Hong-Kong to revise and alter, under the provisions of Section 3 of the Chinese Passengers Act, 1852, Schedule A of that Act, and in particular whether more modern drugs will be substituted for the calomel, jalap, blue pill, and Epsom the High Commissioner of South Africa salts, prescribed for the Chinese under and the Government of India relative that schedule. to the importation of Indian coolie labour into the Transvaal. *MR. LYTTELTON: The Hong-Kong Ordinance 1. of 1889 repeals the drastic and somewhat antiquated schedule, and requires the provision of suitable medicines and medical stores to the satisfaction of the emigration officer, who by the Ordinance is empowered to take the advice of a medical expert. Hours of Labour in the Transvaal Mines. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the regulations to be promulgated under the Transvaal Labour Ordinance will provide for a fixed maximum number of days labour in the year, and for a fixed maximum number of hours of work per day for each indentured labourer; and whether they will set out the rates of wages to be paid. *MR. LYTTELTON: The correspondence on this subject is not yet complete. It is therefore not proposed to lay it at present. power Postal Espionage in the Transvaal. MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the referred to by his predecessor on the 29th April, 1903, of intercepting and opening letters, documents, and parcels in the Transvaal, has been exercised during the last six months; and, if so, in how many instances; and has the proposed amendment of the Ordinance relating to this power been carried out. MR. LYTTELTON: The power in question has not been exercised during the last six months in any instance. The Ordinance has not yet been amended. Russia and Germany and the Bagdad MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis): *MR. LYTTELTON: I am communicating with Lord Milner on the subjects in the hon. Member's Question. The mining regulations already in force I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State strictly limit Sunday labour. In addition for Foreign Affairs have His Majesty's to the British officer appointed by Government any information that negoGovernment to supervise the emigration tiations have recently been begun and from China the Chinese Government propose to appoint a Chinese Protector of Emigrants whose duty, among other things, will be to safeguard the interests of Chinese subjects in regard to wages and all other incidents of his contract. are now proceeding between the German and the Russian Governments for an arrangement whereby, in return for certain advantages afforded to Russia by Germany, during the hostilities with Japan, Russia will give support to Germany in respect of the construction of the Bagdad railway and of the general extension of German predominance in Asia Minor. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: May I ask whether there is any Labour Ordinance in force in any other British colony in which the limitation of hours and the question of wages is not specifically STATE stated in the Ordinance itself? *MR. LYTTELTON: I must have notice of that Question. There are more than 150 Ordinances. Indian Coolie Labour. SIR JOHN GORST: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table of THE UNDER SECRETARY OF FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY, Kensington, S.): The answer is in the negative. Chinese Ambassador's Letter on the February, was only presented to Members in a Parliamentary Paper on the 18th February, the day after the debate on Chinese labour. EARL PERCY: The publication of the note of the 12th February from the Chinese Minister was delayed in order that the letter from the Colonial Office, of the 15th, should be laid at the same time. One hundred copies of the Parliamentary Paper were sent to the House of Commons on the 16th, and the remaining copies were delivered at the Vote Office at mid-day on the 17th. Rescued Russian Sailors in Ceylon. MR. GIBSON BOWLES: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies has he instructed the Colonial authorities at Colombo to detain in Ceylon the 325 Russian sailors rescued from the naval action at Chemulpo; and, if so, will he state by virtue of what authority His Majesty's Government propose to detain these men; will they be treated in the same way as prisoners of war, and how will their detention be enforced. EARL PERCY: The sailors in question took refuge on board a British man-ofwar at Chemulpo. In these circumstances, should no other arrangement be arrived at by mutual consent between the combatants, His Majesty's Government believe that they would best fulfil the obligations of a neutral Power by interning these men in British territory until the conclusion of the war. The Japanese Government have, however, intimated that they are willing that the men should be allowed to return to Russia on their giving their parole that they will take no further part in the war. His Majesty's Government are in correspondence with the Russian Government as to the possibility of disposing of the matter upon this basis. 1885, three years previous to the signature and ratification of that Convention, or by the renewal of those reserves in 1887, one year before its signature and ratification; have the other Powers concerned accepted the claim of His Majesty's Government to override a Convention by reserves previously made, or expressed their views thereon; and, if so, can the Papers embodying those views be laid upon the Table; do His Majesty's Government hold themselves entitled to adopt, or to assent to, the adoption by the Egyptian Government, for the Suez Canal in time of war, rules and regulations inconsistent with the Convention of 1888; and are the regulations issued by the Egyptian Government on the 10th instant consistent therewith. EARL PERCY: The Convention was signed and ratified by His Majesty's Government subject to the reservations already made by them. In view of these reservations the other Signatory Powers have abstained from any steps for the purpose of bringing the Convention into active operation. There are no Papers on the subject that can be presented to Parliament. His Majesty's Government have no intention of adopting or assenting to the adoption of rules inconsistent with the general principles laid down in the Convention with regard to the navigation of the Canal in time of war, and the rules recently issued are in entire agreement with those principles. The Zionists. MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland): I beg to ask the UnderSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay upon the Table of the House the conditions under which a concession of land was offered the Zionists last year; if he will state the extent of such concession, and where situate; and if the offer is still open. Suez Canal Convention. MR. GIBSON BOWLES: I beg to EARL PERCY: I will consider what ask the Under-Secretary of State for Papers can be laid. The precise extent Foreign Affairs can he explain in what and situation of the area offered to the way the Suez Canal Convention of Zionists and the character of the local October, 1888, is held by His Majesty's autonomy to be exercised by them has Government capable of being invalidated not yet been finally determined. The or hindered in its operation by reserves answer to the last paragraph of the made by His Majesty's Government in Question is in the affirmative. Reserves. East Africa-Land Concession and Native Telephone Exchange System amounted to £1,495,602 on the 31st DecemMR. CATHCART WASON: I ber last. The system is not combeg to ask the Under Secretary plete. Its extension is dependent on the of State for Foreign Affairs if he provision of further funds by Parliament, will lay upon the Table of the House and I hope shortly to move a Resolution all reports from local officers on the for leave to introduce a Bill to provide question of land concession and native additional capital for this purpose. It reserves in East Africa. has been necessary to restrict the expenditure on telephone works in London, and to reduce the number of workmen employed, in order to avoid exceeding the expenditure authorised by Parliament. If, as I hope, further expenditure is authorised at an early date, the works will be pressed forward as rapidly as possible. EARL PERCY: The opinions and suggestions of local officers in regard to questions of land concession and native reserves formed the basis of the Crown Lands Ordinance, 1902, and of the various rules and notices which have been issued in connection therewith. These regulations have all been published, and His Majesty's Government do not propose to lay any Papers on the subject. Cotton Planting in Central Africa Scarcity of Labour. MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange): I beg to ask the UnderSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that cotton planting in Central Africa is being retarded by the scarcity of labour; and whether, having regard to the importance of encouraging the growth of cotton within the British Empire, he will reconsider the sanction given by him to the recruiting in the British Central African Protectorate of 5,000 natives for the Transvaal mines. EARL PERCY The reports received from our officials in British Central Africa do not indicate that there is any scarcity of labour. His Majesty's Government therefore see no reason to reconsider the sanction which they have given to additional recruitment for the Transvaal mines. Cost of the London Telephone System. MR. JOHN CAMPBELL (Armagh, S.): I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state the amount expended on the new telephone system; whether that system is now completed; and, if not, will he explain why hundreds of men, many with a record of long service, have been discharged. THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton): Central Telegraph Office-Women Season Substitutes. MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.): I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that certain women season substitutes in the Central Telegraph Office, London, have been informed that their services are to be discontinued, and that some of these telegraphists have been employed for a number of years in this department, and have proved themselves efficient during this period, he can take steps to retain their services. LORD STANLEY: The services of most of the women season substitutes in the Central Telegraph Office have been retained up to the present, and so far as they can be usefully employed their services will be continued, but, owing to the diminution of telegraph work in that office, it is doubtful whether this course can be justified much longer. Post Office-Holloway Instrument MR. JOHN CAMPBELL: I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will explain why mechanics and learners have been discharged from the Holloway Instrument Factory during the past two years owing to alleged slackness of work, seeing that the factory and also the old Parkhurst Theatre are at present full of instruments made by a Swedish firm. LORD STANLEY: The factory at Holloway is primarily a factory for repairs, although some of the more deli are made there. The instruments to alterations of system are proposed to LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley): I have to invite the attention of the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. friend the Member for Dumbartonshire on the 5th instant. † I may add that MR. JOHN CAMPBELL: Cannot the the cleaning arrangements affecting the instruments be made in London ? LORD STANLEY: All that we require cannot be made in England. We get all we can at home, but have to go abroad for the rest. There are certain instruments we require which are the property of patentees in foreign countries, and which can only be obtained in those countries. Whisky Adulteration. MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.): To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause instructions to be issued by the Joint Boards of Customs and Inland Revenue for permits attached to all blends leaving bond to truthfully describe the composition of such blends, whether in cask or in bottle, with a view to letting the public know what they are consuming. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. VICTOR CAVENDISH, Derbyshire, W.): No, Sir; the Re venue authorities cannot undertake to do more than prohibit the use of any labels implying a Government guarantee of accuracy. MR. KILBRIDE: Is the hon. Gentle man aware of the character of the frauds which are perpetrated in bond? Is he satisfied to connive at these frauds? MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH: I must ask for notice of any further Questions. Ventilation of the House of Commons. MR. FREDERICK WILSON (Norfolk, Mid.): I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he can state what changes have recently been made in the ventilation and cleaning of the House of Commons, and what further Chamber have been placed under a single control. Experiments are being continued for testing the atmosphere of the Chamber as regards the presence of bacteria. Besides more frequent cleaning of the matting on the floor, disinfection will be daily applied. Hyde Park. MR. SCHWANN: I beg to ask the hon. Member for Chorley, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state what is the shrubs in Hyde Park, near to the object of the construction of earth and Magazine, which has abstracted half or a whole acre from the amenities enjoyed by the public; is there any intention to cut Piccadilly through the Green Park; and, a road from Buckingham Palace to if so, by whose authority is it to be done, and is it too late to be countermanded. LORD BALCARRES: In regard to the the hon. Member to the Answer given to first part of the Question, I have to refer my hon. friend the Member for Stoke on Monday last. The reply to the latter part is in the negative. Voluntary Schools-Repairs of Fabric. MR. ASHTON (Bedfordshire, Luton) :I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether, as those managers of a voluntary school who are appointed by the local authorities are personally liable for the repairs of the fabric of the schools equally with the foundation managers, and as there is no way by which they can avoid this liability he will take steps to amend except by refusing their consent to repairs, Education Act of 1902, by relieving the managers appointed by local authorities from liability. + See (4) Debates, cxxix., 473. |