§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, by the Transvaal Pass Law, the rigid enforcement of which was asked for by the Rand Chamber of Mines, lashes at discretion may be inflicted for every second violation of its minute regulations, and whether by a clause introduced into the latest Transvaal Gold Law by the second Volksraad, every coloured workman who is found to be negligent may be punished by lashes not exceeding twenty-five; while coloured includes every Indian or African British subject; and if the attention of the Governor of the Transvaal will be called to such provisions, with a view to the better treatment of coloured persons.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe penalties referred to in the question are prescribed by the Pass Laws of 1895 and 560 1890, and by the Gold Laws for many years past. The definition of "coloured" undoubtedly includes British Indian and African coloured subjects. Sir Alfred Milner is already alive to the need for considering the revision of such legislation, and I will call his attention to the special points referred to in the right hon. Member's question.