§ MR. M. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what authority the hut tax was first imposed upon the natives in Sierra Leone; did the Colonial Office sanction the imposition of the tax; by what class of persons has the tax been collected; and whether, in view of the bloodshed that has been caused in the efforts to enforce this tax, it will be given up?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESThe hut tax was imposed by an Ordinance passed in September of 1897, and allowed by the Colonial Office on the recommendation of the Governor. It was decided to apply it in the first instance to three districts only as an experiment. The tax has been collected by District Commissioners, and its nature and object were first fully explained to the chiefs. As soon as the rebellion has been quelled, a further inquiry will be made, and the whole subject will be carefully reconsidered in the light of the experience since gained.
§ MR. DAVITTMay I ask whether the rebellion was in consequence of the enforcement of the tax?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESYes; I think it can be taken for granted that the opposition of the chiefs to the enforcement of the tax caused the rebellion, but I may add I do not think it in any way justifies the rebellion any more than resistance to any other tax would justify it.