SIR ROBERT POWLER (London)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government is aware that in Trinidad, in the case of numerous marriages between Coolie residents, celebrated according to the religious rites of the people, but for the validity of which it is necessary that they should be registered by the civil authorities, the registrars have refused or neglected thus to make them valid, and that in consequence much social disorder, often leading to crime, has resulted; and whether the Government will call for a Report on this subject, unless it is already sufficiently informed, and will in any case insist on a due observance of the law as regards Coolie marriages by the Local Authorities?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSHer Majesty's Government is not aware that there has been any failure of the Local Authorities in Trinidad to observe the law relating to coolie marriages, but they will call for a Report on the subject.