§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to an ordinance on education matters promulgated some days ago at Pretoria, in which a maximum of three hours weekly for instruction in the Dutch language, with a maximum of two hours' Biblical instruction given in Dutch, has been established; and whether he will take steps to secure that the number of hours allowed per week for instruction in the Dutch language may be increased.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has been directed to the ordinance to which the hon. Member refers. It provides for five hours instruction per week in Dutch when the parents desire it. The time allotted is the same as in the schools of Cape Colony, and I have received no complaints respecting it, and see no reason for any alteration.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWas not heavy pressure brought to bear on you in the matter by the Rev. Mr. Bosnian in Pretoria?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Gentleman has been entirely misinformed. The only communication I have had from or with Mr. Bosnian was a private interview. As the hon. Member refers to it, I may say that Mr. Bosnian expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the arrangement.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLBut the ordinance was promulgated after the interview.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThat is irrelevant to the point. The Rev. Mr. Bosnian understood that five hours per week would be given for Dutch and religious instruction, and ho expressed himself, personally, entirely satisfied with that part of the arrangement.