HC Deb 13 June 1901 vol 95 cc266-7
MR. BRYN ROBERTS

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a statement of Mr. Brunner, Eshowe member of the Natal Legislative Assembly, that steps have been taken, with the cognisance of the highest military authorities in that country, to let loose the natives upon the enemy, and allowing them to loot and plunder; that the natives of Zululand had been instructed by the military officers to arm and invade the Vryheid district; that numbers of cattle had been brought in and handed over to a British military officer, and the Zulus were allowed 10 per cent. of all plunder; and that the Premier of Natal had protested to the military authorities that he believed that the military officer had greatly exceeded his instructions, and whether he has now received any reports on these matters.

*MR. BRODRICK

Since the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for South Aberdeen, and the debate in this House on the 23rd May,* to which I must refer the hon. Member, I have received information that the civil authorities were now satisfied with the arrangements which had been made, and that the causes of disquiet on the Zulu frontier were removed.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS

But were not protests made?

*MR. BRODRICK

I challenge some of the statements made in the question. They were all dealt with in my reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Aberdeen. * See preceding Volume, pages 952, 1022, and 1032.

MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

Has the correspondence which was promised to for brought home yet been received?

*MR. BRODRICK

Not yet. Any question as to that should be addressed to the Colonial Secretary.