§ MR. THOMAS BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government has approved the arrangement announced by Earl Grey in a report to the British South Africa Company, dated Kith October, for paying certain in dun as in Matabeleland a salary of £5 a month each in consideration of their assisting the Native Commissioners to maintain order in their several districts, and particularly to collect, but-tax and obtain labour for the mines; and whether, before the proposed new rules for the collection of but-tax are sanctioned, he will satisfy himself that they do not afford opportunities for extortion and a modified form of slavery?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe arrangement referred to has not yet been approved. Lord Grey has been informed that any settlement of a permanent character, including such arrangements, will have to be fully considered by Her Majesty's Government. I shall, of course, satisfy myself that the new policy does not lend itself to extortion or to a modified form of slavery. [Cheers.]