MR. GORST (for Lord Randolph Churchill)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that persons who had contracted to serve the Cape Government in a civil capacity in the "Mounted Police" have been by a Colonial Law compelled, without the option of discharge, to serve in a military capacity in a force called "The Mounted Rifles;" whether those who respectfully refused to submit to this arrangement were not tried by court martial and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and hard labour, which involves their working on the roads of the Colony with common convicts; and, whether Her Majesty's Government propose to take any action in the matter?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH,in reply, said, he was unable to state whether the reports referred to were or were not correct. Complaints had been made to the Colonial Office in November, and they had been referred to Sir Bartle Frere to report, and that Report, of course, had not yet been received. He feared it would be some time before all the facts of the case were in his possession.
MR. GORSTgave Notice, on behalf of the noble Lord the Member for Woodstock, that he would repeat the Question at a future period.