§ MR. WASON (Clackmannan and Kilross)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information as to the where-abouts of Mr. Garstin, a British resident magistrate in South Africa, who has been taken prisoner by the rebel Dutch; whether they have threatened to try him for murder; and if so, on what ground; and whether Her Majesty's Government will give instructions to the proper officer in South Africa to endeavour to obtain Mr. Garstin's release on the ground that he was a non-combatant, and had merely taken steps in his civil capacity to enforce the law for the suppression of rebellion.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I was informed by Sir A. Milner, on 19th March, that it was reported that Mr. Garstin, the magistrate for Kenhardt, had been sent to Bloemfontein for trial, but without further particulars. It was not then known by the rebel Dutch that Bloemfontein was occupied by us. I have asked the Foreign Office to make inquiry, and representations, if necessary, through the United States Consul at Pretoria.