§ MR. THOMAS BAYLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, (1) whether Her Majesty's Representatives in South Africa have received any complaint from the Matabele as to the treatment of Native women at the hands of the Chartered Company's servants; and, (2) whether any complaint has been made of the Company's servants enforcing a Law whereby they take over 10 per cent. of the cattle belonging to the Matabele?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The answer to the first part of the Question is that no such complaint has reached me. The answer 1519 to the second part of the Question is the same. I have stated, in answer to the hon. Member for Derby on February 13, what the law is as to the proprietorship of the Matabele cattle, and I may now add that I have directed that, as soon as. circumstances permit, an inquiry shall be made as to the manner in which the law has been administered.