HC Deb 06 June 1890 vol 345 cc149-51
SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the result of the representations made regarding the position of British Indian subjects in the Transvaal; whether it is true, as stated in the public prints, that both in the Transvaal and in the Orange Free State these subjects of Her Majesty have been placed under severe disabilities, their trade very greatly restricted or prohibited, the privilege of holding land denied to them, and their presence only permitted under special licence; if there is any truth in these statements; whether Her Majesty's Government will urge strongly on the Governments of the South African Republics the claims to free ingress and equal treatment of the Indian subjects of Her Majesty as much as the claims of any other class of Her Majesty's subjects; whether, in the Colony of Natal, British Indian subjects are under any restrictions or disabilities not applicable to people of European blood; and whether there are any such distinctions in the Cape Colony?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East Toxteth

In consequence of representations made by Her Majesty's Government some modification has been made in the Transvaal Law regarding the position of British Indians, and further representations have been made, but no definite result has been yet arrived at. I may refer the hon. Member to the answers given by me on May 3, 1889, and February 25, 1890. The Government of the Orange Free State having recently proposed to enact a law restricting Asiatics in various respects, a representation has been made by the High Commissioner, the result of which is not yet known. It is, however hoped that some modifications will be made. The laws and restrictions are based upon sanitary considerations; they make no discrimination against British subjects, but apply generally to all natives of Asia, and aim mainly at defining a distinct "quarter" in each town for their habitation. But, as I have before stated, further representations have been made. The Indian immigrant population in Natal is for certain purposes, and for its own protection, subject to what is virtually a special legal code, including numerous restrictions and regulations which are not applicable to people of European blood. Moreover, Indians and other semi-civilised races are subject to special bye-laws as to registration and supervision in the boroughs of Pietermaritzburg and Durban. It does not appear that Asiatic races are subject to any special restrictions in the Cape Colony. If the hon. Member wishes to study the Natal laws in detail they will be shown to him if he calls at the Colonial Office. It is impossible within the limits of an answer in Parliament to state the effect of one great head of law in three or four separate States.