§ SIR ROBERT FOWLERasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that canteens for the sale of spirits have been opened in Bechuanaland with the sanction of the authorities?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN)The sale of spirits in Bechuanaland is regulated by the laws and regulations of the Government of that country, issued last year, which permit licensed dealers to sell liquors to Whites at fixed places, but prohibit under heavy penalties the sale of wines and spirituous liquors to Natives. They, however, permit the sale of Caffre beer, beer, or ginger-beer, or like liquor to Natives. A clergyman, the Rev. John Brown, has lately objected to the sale of ginger-beer, as well as other beer; but Sir Hercules Robinson has replied that he allowed such sale under the advice of persons who had had practical experience of the working of prohibitory legislation, and as a mode of averting greater evils. He adds, however, that the practical working of the regulation in question will be carefully watched by Mr. Ship-pard, the Administrator of the country, as well as by the officers under him; and should further experience prove that modifications are required they will be adopted.