§ MR. LYELL (Orkney and Shetland)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Article XIV. of the Convention of 1884, made between Her Majesty and the South African Republic, is contravened by Law No. 3, 1885, of the South African Republic; whether certain Indian traders, subjects of Her Majesty resident in the Republic, who, relying upon the terms of the Convention, have embarked large sums of capital there, are now unable to obtain trade licences or to acquire real property or leases in the Republic, and are consequently suffering great loss; and, whether he will inform the House what steps are being taken to effect the carrying out of the terms of the Convention?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSIn answer to the hon. Member, I have to say that the Law of 1885, as amended in 1886, at the instance of Her Majesty's Government does not prohibit the 1082 acquisition of real property or leases by natives of Asia, but merely restricts them in such acquisition to the "streets, wards, and districts, which the Government shall for sanitary purposes point out for habitation" (cl. 2 B.). The law has been enacted on grounds of public health, and makes no discrimination against British subjects, or any particular Asiatics. Representations have at various times been made to the Government of the South African Republic at the instance of persons who felt aggrieved by the law; and in response to these the President has agreed to renew licenses to all Asiatic traders actually possessing leases, wherever situated. The High Commissioner has been directed to make certain further representations which will no doubt receive the same attention.