§ MR. SUMMERSasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the British Government in Natal recognises the sale of women, and sanctions the right of a native insolvent to include the marriageable value of his daughters in the assets of his estate; and, whether he will lay upon the Table Copies of any Papers that may be at the Colonial Office relating to native customs in Natal?
MR. GRANT DUFFMy reply to the first Question is that the Natal Zulus, who outnumber the Whites by about 20 to 1, are still governed to a great extent by their own laws and customs, one of which requires the bridegroom to give his future father-in-law a present of cattle for consenting to give his daughter in marriage. Such a transaction would be recognized by our authorities, provided the young lady consented. I can give no certain reply to the second Question; but we have not heard of any such case at the Colonial Office. My reply to the third Question is that various Papers on the subject are already before Parliament, and will be found at pages 297–306 of C 2,144, and at page 14 of 2,676. We have little about it that is unprinted; but I know of no objection to giving what we have.