§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government have received a Copy of all laws promulgated by the South Africa Company in Mashonaland and Mata-beleland, and whether, if so, he will lay it upon the Table of the House; whether the Company possesses any power to legislate in regard to the natives of these countries; and, if so, from whom it derives this power; and whether he will lay upon the Table a Copy of the Proclamation of the High Commissioner of South Africa in regard to the worthless character of all land concessions alleged to have been granted by Lo Bengula, which Proclamation was issued in July last or thereabouts, and state whether the land concession now owned by the Chartered Company of South Africa is one of these concessions?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSThree Ordinances have been passed by the British South Africa Company. There will be no objection to lay them on the Table, as well as any future Ordinances of the Company which the hon. Member may desire to see. The power of the Company to legislate for the preservation of peace and order, which involves to a certain extent the exercise of authority over natives, is derived from the Crown by Clause 10 of the Charter. As regards the third paragraph of the question, the hon. Member will perhaps state more specifically what proclamation he refers to. I do not know of any answering the description, but there is no doubt that the recent Land Concession of Lo Bengula is not of a worthless character.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREAm I to understand that the Crown claims authority over all natives within the sphere of British influence—sovereign authority?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSNo; I said that the power of the company to legislate for the preservation of peace and order is derived from the Crown by Clause 10 of the Charter.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREBut whence does the Crown derive it, and claim sovereignty over all natives within the area of British influence?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSI must ask notice of the question.