AN OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF SLAVERY.
[To THE EDITOR 01 TUN "SPECTATOR.] Srn,—In view of the increase in the exercise of force to secure labour for tropical regions, serious developments in the South Seas, and proposals now being made in British East Africa, the Committee of this Society appealed to Mr. Harcourt to declare publicly that in the opinion of Hie Majesty's Colonial advisers forced labour for private profit is a form of slavery, and will not be tolerated within the British Dominions. -Upon this important issue, Mr. Harcourt has given us permission to say that in his opinion the proposition contained in the Society's letter "that forced labour for private profit amounts to slavery appears to him to be self-evident." This eminently satisfactory reply brings the Colonial Office into harmony upon this cardinal issue with the Foreign Office, for to Sir Edward Grey is due this definition of modern slavery. At the same time we beg to point out that not only in foreign territories for which we have treaty obligations, but even in certain British territories, forced labour for private profit appears to be increasing.—We are, Sir, (toe TRAVERS B1TXTON, Secretary.
JOHN H. HARRIS, Organizing Secretary.
The Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protedion Society, Denison House, 296 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, S. W.
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