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for their present and future needs; they loved to work on their own lands and in their own gardens.

Lord LUGARD: Mr. Butler said he was sure I would endorse his appreciation of the work done by Mr. Grimshaw-whose absence and its cause we all so greatly regret-and I do so most emphatically. I am in a position to speak of it with intimate knowledge, for I have sat with him on the Mandates Commission for the last five years, and on the Slavery and the Forced Labour Committees. His work has been invaluable, and his enthusiasm and devotion to it is unbounded.

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The terms of reference of the "Forced Labour Committee' were restricted to Forced and Contract Labour, but we have not so far got beyond the first head. We have met to-day to discuss in what way the International Labour Organisation can assist this Society in its policy. Mr. Butler has told us that the I.L.O. will hold a Conference in 1929, and it is hoped that an International Convention on the subject of the Labour of coloured races will be laid before the League in 1930. I suggest that, before this Conference takes place, the scope of the enquiry by the Committee on Forced Labour might be extended to consider conditions of Native Labour generally. There are two directions in which I think enquiry would be useful. First, as to the available supply of labour on the lines upon which the Belgian Government in the Congo has already given a lead, viz., the percentage of male adults which can be withdrawn from a village without injuriously affecting native welfare,—and similar questions. Secondly, I think that the success of the Convention must depend on its having public opinion behind it, and this can only be secured by publicity-as to existing conditions and the proposals to be made. Our Committee has drawn up a long report on Forced Labour based on a draft by Mr. Grimshaw, and it has since been amended in some details by correspondence where there was any doubt. So far that report has not been made public. As soon as it is ready I suggest that it should be widely circulated, so as to enlist interest and assistance here in England; for the public is not well-informed on the subject of labour conditions in the Tropics.

Lord Olivier deplored the undue rapidity with which the economic development of the African tropics is being pushed forward. There is a widespread consensus of opinion that the raw materials and foodstuffs of the tropics should be developed in order to provide the materials for industry and cheaper food for the people of Europe, but I agree with him that development, if pushed forward too rapidly, is pernicious. The lead is often given by the Government of the different States. If the Government constructs new railway lines you cannot blame private enterprise for following the lead. Looking to the available labour supply, I think that some Governments have carried forward economic development at too great a pace. You cannot check private enterprise and private capital.

Mr. Butler reminded us that in the whole of the vast East African dependencies there are only 13,000,000 African natives, and that private

enterprise was ever making fresh demands for native labour. In addition to these demands there are the demands of the Governments for railway construction and other works. Governments alone can use compulsion for urgent public works and services, since forced labour for private profit is absolutely forbidden in all British dependencies. Governments should, I submit, consider carefully whether each proposed extension of a railway is really urgent, before embarking upon it in the present conditions in Africa. We sometimes hear the argument that Imperial loan guarantees are justified because it will mean large orders for railway material in this country, but that should not be the primary consideration.

Another way in which the I.L.O. might assist would be in compiling a comparative synopsis of the legislation actually in force in Africa on labour conditions. The Institut Colonial International is engaged in such studies of comparative legislation, but I do not know if they have yet taken up the question of Labour legislation. It would be useful to know what legislation is in operation, because in some cases decrees have been drawn up in Europe, but never made operative in Africa. May I in conclusion refer to the speech made by Mr. White? He urged you to condemn every form of forced labour. Does he include the forced labour exacted by native chiefs on the grounds of old native customs and tradition? In my opinion, that form of compulsion should, equally with slavery, be put an end to, and the only way to end it is by providing the chiefs with adequate salaries, and with small public funds with which to pay for all services demanded by them.

Mr. JOHN H. HARRIS, Parliamentary Secretary, suggested that a message should be sent to Mr. Harold Grimshaw, who had rendered services at Geneva which were only known in detail to comparatively few. He had been alert on every occasion to secure further reforms in the treatment of native races.

It was then agreed that a message of sympathy with him in his illness should be sent to Mr. Grimshaw, expressing appreciation of his able and earnest work for the last seven years.

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Mr. Butler, in reply to a question, said that he thought skilled native labour was one of the greatest and most difficult problems in South Africa. As regards the Union, he felt sympathy with both parties. The white worker on the one hand was undoubtedly threatened by the competition of the native, but it was equally certain that to place a barrier in the industrial progress would engender a real sense of grievance. Among the natives themselves there were two different standards of living, which led to further complications. There was in South Africa a very widespread consciousness of the existence of this problem, and it could only be solved by some new scheme which, while doing justice to the natives' legitimate claims in industry, would not injure those of the white man.

Lady HALL proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Butler, which was seconded by Mr. ALFRED BROOKS and carried.

The Rev. JOHN WHITE proposed, and the Rev. A. S. CRIPPS seconded a resolution in the following terms:

That this meeting of the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society expresses its regret that official sanction has been extended both to the Native Juveniles' Employment Act and to the Native Affairs Act of Southern Rhodesia, and requests that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Dominions and to the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia in London.

The resolution was carried.

Southern Rhodesia.

PARLIAMENTARY PAPER.

THIS White Book,* entitled Papers relative to the Southern Rhodesia Native Juveniles Employment Act, 1926, and the Southern Rhodesia Native Affairs Act, 1927, was published in April. It contains the text of the two Acts, together with Memoranda and correspondence relating to them, including the letters which have passed between the Society and the Dominions Office, and the terms of questions and answers in the House of Commons. Both these measures have now become law. It will be seen that the Government of Southern Rhodesia maintains throughout that the provisions and objects of the Native Juveniles Act have been completely misunderstood in this country, and that it was passed in the interests of the juveniles themselves, to prevent them from becoming vagrants and exposed to pernicious influences. The employment of children, it contended, will not be increased, but rather diminished, by the steps taken to control it. In a letter dated March last, included in this book, the Society expressed profound regret that the Act allowing the indenturing of children had been passed, and hoped that so long as it remained on the Statute Book administrative regulations might be passed to safeguard the juvenile workers. We note with satisfaction that by instructions issued last January from Salisbury, the Chief Native Commissioner made it clear that the Government did not approve of children under the age of ten entering into contracts of service.

The Native Affairs Act was the subject of protests from the Southern Rhodesia Missionary Conference, whose letters are published in this volume. They protested against the excessive power conferred on Native Commissioners and Headmen, as opening a way to abuses and injustice, and complained that authority under the Act would be placed in the hands of uneducated and pagan Chiefs over educated and progressive natives. They also pointed out that there was no provision under the Act for progressive natives to come out from under native law and custom.

On the other side, the Chief Native Commissioner claims that the character of the Native Department officials is such that entire confidence

* Cmd. 3076. (Price is. 6d. net.)

may be placed in them, and that the Act was called for by a general lack of discipline and weakening of tribal control in the country.

It will be seen in the report of the Annual Meeting of the Society that a resolution was moved and seconded by the Rev. John White and the Rev. A. S. Cripps, expressing regret that these Acts have been passed in Southern Rhodesia.

SIR,

LETTER TO THE DOMINIONS OFFICE.

8th June, 1928. In reference to previous correspondence with the Department on the subject of the Native Juveniles' Employment Act of Southern Rhodesia, the Committee of this Society desires to express its appreciation of the limitation of the age of the juveniles entering into contracts to ten years, which has been suggested as an amendment to the Act; and also of the fact that instructions have been circulated to Native Commissioners that juveniles who appear to be physically or mentally unsuitable shall not be contracted.

Our Committee now begs to ask that the Secretary of State will give favourable consideration to certain suggested regulations for the control of the operation of this Act--regulations which we think the Secretary of State will agree are the usual accompaniment of such a measure: (1) That at least two Inspectors should be appointed, whose duty it shall be to watch over the labour conditions and general treatment of these juvenile workers, including proper provision for their housing, hours of labour, medical care and the diet supplied to them, and to make reports to the Chief Native Commissioner to be published periodically.

(b) That if any number of girls are to be indentured, a woman Inspector be appointed, specially to watch over the interests of girls entering into contracts under the Act.

(2) That a minimum wage, payable monthly, should be fixed by the Government, such minimum being the standard rate current for such labour in the district.

(3) That in areas where there are schools, employers should be required to allow facilities for all employed juveniles to attend school during the day-time.

(4) That at the end of any term of a compulsory contract of service, it shall be made clear to the juvenile by the Chief Native Commissioner that he is free to return to his home, or enter into another voluntary contract with the same or any other employer, at his own choice.

In regard to the Native Affairs Act, our Committee deeply regrets to learn that the Act has come into operation without such modifications as

the Society ventured to submit.

We have, etc.,

TRAVERS BUXTON,

Hon. Secretary.

JOHN H. HARRIS,

Parliamentary Secretary.

British Guiana.

IN connection with the Bill to modify the Constitution of the Colony of British Guiana, lately before Parliament, the Committee, after having had the opportunity of consultation with the two Commissioners who recently visited the Colony and were responsible for the Report published last year, and the Rev. J. Williams, a member of the Society, and formerly a missionary in the interior of British Guiana, addressed the following letter to the Colonial Secretary :

SIR,

7th May, 1928.

The Committee desires to approach you in connection with the Report of the British Guiana Commission, in regard to the condition and care of the aboriginal Indians. We note that the Commissioners refer to the people as peaceful and amiable, and as a real asset to the Colony, and they urge that with regular employment and considerate treatment they may in time develop into a valuable section of the community. My Committee desires to endorse the Commissioner's recommendation that the care of the Indians should be transferred from the Commissioner of Lands and Mines to the Conservator of Forests, and that he should be recognised as the responsible Protector of all the Indians, both in the forests and on the savannahs, and should have authority to concern himself with their welfare generally, and the necessary equipment.

The Committee understands that it is proposed that the new Constitution will provide for a Government veto on grants of land to immigrant settlers. Believing, as we do, that it is of the highest importance that the aboriginals should be assured of rights to certain territories without fear of eviction or exploitation by white settlers, we beg respectfully to suggest that certain areas should be earmarked for aboriginal occupation only, and that men of white or other races should not be allowed on these lands.

The third point which the Committee would like to bring before you is the need for medical supervision of the aboriginal people. At present it is believed that it would be difficult to exercise such supervision over the nomadic tribes in any satisfactory way, but they would urge that everything possible should be done to increase the number and the powers of medical officers, with a view to overtaking the problem of the care of the health of this scattered people.

I have, etc.,

TRAVERS BUXTON, Hon. Secretary.

REPLY.

Downing Street,

SIR,

16th May, 1928.

I am directed by Mr. Secretary Amery to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th May regarding the condition and care of the aboriginal

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