§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a package of pamphlets brought by the Union mail steamer "Norman," on 28th February, to Cape Town for the South African Newspaper Company were not delivered having been seized by the Customs authorities as being treasonable; whether he is aware that all the pamphlets thus seized, including copies of a well-known pamphlet, entitled "The Scandal of the South African Committee," were delivered to the South African Newspaper Company on 10th March, with the exception of thirteen copies of "A Century of Wrong," by Mr. F. W. Reitz, which were detained; and that copies of the pamphlets thus 273 seized and detained by the Governor of Cape Colony from the South African Newspaper Company were advertised for sale by two local firms of booksellers in the Cape Times, of 7th February and 15th February, without interference on the part of the Governor; did Sir Alfred Milner, in directing the seizure and detention of these pamphlets, act on the advice of the Cape Cabinet or of any Member of that Cabinet; and what, if any, explanation can be given for the seizure by order of the Governor of Cape Colony of pamphlets criticising the policy of the South African War which have had an unprohibited circulation in Great Britain and the Colonies, and have in several instances been referred to in debate in the House of Commons.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)I have not heard anything from Sir A. Milner upon the matter referred to, but I am asking him for a report.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWhen may I expect a reply?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINIt will take about six weeks.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLYou are worse than the War Office.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)Say next Christmas.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI cannot expedite the boats. The voyage to and fro takes about six weeks.