§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has received representations from Coloured Natives of the Cape Colony and others, that a Registration Bill which has passed the Cape Parliament is really a Disfranchising Bill, by which large numbers of the Coloured subjects of Her Majesty, who are entitled to be enrolled as voters under the Law hitherto in force, would be deprived of that right; whether the Governor of the Cape Colony has assented to that Bill or reserved assent; and, whether the Government will inquire into the matter, and will take care that the power of Her Majesty to disallow that Law is preserved till it is ascertained whether it really does disfranchise the major part of the population?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (SIR HENRY HOLLAND (Hampstead)Telegrams have been received showing that some of the Natives object to the Act on the grounds stated. The Act has been assented to by the Governor, and Her Majesty's Government are awaiting his Report upon it, after considering which Report, with the representations of the Natives, they will decide whether the law really does contain such a measure of disfranchisement as would justify its disallowance. The power of disallow- 19 ance remains in force for two years from receipt of the law here.