§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can say whether the news from Natal, published in a Reuter's telegram, is authentic in so far as it states that the Legislative Council have passed a resolution pressing to get the period of indentures of Indian immigrants extended to 10 years, at the expiration of which they are to return to India, thereby subjecting Indians to compulsory labour for the whole period of their residence, and also that, after being dealt with by a special Committee, an amended Constitution Bill has been presented, by which the Colonists still insist that the Governor shall only exercise his powers over the Natives by advice of the Executive Council, and that the annual Vote for the Natives shall be subject to the control of the Council?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE COLONIES (Baron H. DE WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethIn answer to the first part of the question, 1248 I have to say that the Secretary of State has no information beyond the Reuter's telegram referred to, but as the proposal appears to have been to open a correspondence on this subject between the Colonial and Indian Governments, the latter, without whose concurrence the step cannot be taken, will be in a position to fully protect the interests of the immigrants. The Papers about to be distributed will show that the present position of the Bill is as stated by the hon. Member; and that the Legislative Council has been informed that Her Majesty's Government adhere to their previous objections to the proposed provisions respecting the natives.