§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state whether the Government propose to increase the rates of taxation paid by natives in the Transvaal and other Crown Colonies in South Africa.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo proposal for any increase of taxation on natives is before me; but I consider that the present rate is too low in some cases and does not fairly represent the amount which the natives ought to contribute to the Administration which secures them protection for life and property. The subject will probably be discussed at the Intercolonial Conference at Bloemfontein.
MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)Is the tax lower or higher than it was under the Transvaal Government?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThat is a very difficult thing to answer, but I believe it is lower. The fact is a fixed rate has been substituted for a number of separate items. I believe the net average result is lower than it was in the time of the Transvaal, but I certainly do not think it was too high.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)Before any tax is agreed to by the Colonial Office, will the House have an opportunity to discuss it?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI cannot promise that. Of course, the House will always have an opportunity of discussing any decision of the Colonial Office.