§ MR. CROPPERasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he will explain to the House the nature of the Pass Laws referred to in Article 14 of the Transvaal Convention as limiting the freedom of action of the native population in the Transvaal territory?
§ MR. COURTNEYThe present law of the Transvaal is contained in Sections 7 and 8 of law No. 6 of 1880, which continues in force under the Convention. Section 7 requires—
Every foreign native entering any district of this Province to apply to the Landdrost of the district, or to such other officer as may be appointed for the purpose, for a pass, which request will be granted on payment of a fee of 1s.The section also provides for the production of such a pass on demand by any burgher. Section 8 provides that every Native of the Transvaal desiring to travel from one district to another must apply for a pass, which must be given gratuitously if the Native has paid his hut tax.