§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has seen the following statement in a letter published in the St. James's Gazette of February 18th, dated "Fort Sali, Mashonaland, South Africa, January 3," and purporting to be from an Englishman with Colonel Prendergast's Force in Mashonaland—
Just seen a nigger held across the pole of a waggon, and get twenty-five. He howled, but serve him right, as, he was a waggon driver who deserted in the bush at night on the way up, and was eventually caught;and if he will take steps to ascertain if the inhabitants of territory within British influence, and administered by persons holding a Royal Charter, are subjected to corporal punishment if they withdraw from the service of the said persons; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will put an end to such a practice, and bring those guilty of it to justice?
SIR J. GORSTOn behalf of my right hon. Friend, I have to say the Secretary of State had not seen the statement until his attention was called to it by the notice of this question. It does not appear to be alleged that the act was committed by persons in the employment of the British South Africa Company; but Her Majesty's Government will inquire as to the truth of the statement, and will take all possible measures to prevent and punish any abuses of the kind.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no one is allowed in Mashonaland who is not in the employment of the South Africa Company?