HC Deb 24 July 1894 vol 27 cc804-5
MR. TOMLINSON

On behalf of the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Transvaal Volksraad have passed a Bill gravely restricting the right of public meeting, forbidding all outdoor meetings, and giving the police power to attend and disperse by force of arms, on their own responsibility, out-of-door meetings, and any other meeting of more than five persons; whether the severe penalty of two years' imprisonment and £500 fine is fixed for a breach of this law; and whether Her Majesty's Government propose to protest against this grave infringement of the liberties of British subjects resident in the Transvaal?

MR. S. BUXTON

We are now in telegraphic possession of the purport of the law passed by the Volksraad of the South African Republic on the 17th July. The right of the inhabitants to unite in meetings is acknowledged, but the exercise of the right can, in the interests of public peace, be restricted; meetings are prohibited which are in conflict with public peace, having for their objects disobedience or contravention of laws and regulations, hindrance to persons in execution of their duty, or advocating measures of force or violence; also meetings of an indecent nature. Public meetings or unions of persons who meet in conference are not allowed in the open air, nor public addresses of any kind in the open air, nor processions of whatever nature, except with the consent of the Government or the Local Authority; the right is given to the police or detectives to enter public meetings, by force if necessary. The Local Authority is given power of forbidding under certain conditions an assembly of more than six persons in open places or streets. Whatever may be its merits or demerits, the South African Republic appear to be acting within their rights in passing such a law.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether this is not the state of things which the Protestants of Ireland were delivered from by William of Orange?

MR. S. BUXTON

I think the hon. Member had better ask that question of the Chief Secretary.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Were they Dutchmen?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!