§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)May I ask the Colonial Secretary if he has any information to give to the House with regard to the rioting in Trinidad?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I am sorry to say very serious rioting has taken place in Trinidad. The following telegram was received at the Colonial Office at eight o'clock this morning from Governor C. A. Moloney—
Considerable excitement has been caused during the last few weeks by the introduction in the Legislative Council of a new Water Works Ordinance, the provisions of which have been much misrepresented. This has been increased by several public meetings, called together by those who demand representative government, and the whole excitement was turned in that direction. At the meeting of the Legislative Council on the 16th, a crowd entered the Council Chamber in such numbers that the Bill could not be proceeded with, and the Council adjourned. It was decided, therefore, that admission to the adjourned meeting should be by ticket only, as many tickets being issued as there was accommodation for. A public meeting was held on the 21st to protest against this, and the speakers at the meeting urged those assembled to refuse tickets, and to insist upon their supposed right to be present 173 at all the meeting of the Legislative Council. Accordingly at eleven o'clock the committee of the Ratepayers' Association presented themselves at the entrance of the Council Chamber, and, refusing tickets, demanded entrance. At the time there was a crowd round the door of about 1,000 persons. A large force of police were guarding the buildings. The Council proceeded with its business, though much interrupted by shoutings outside, until a quarter to two p.m., when stone-throwing into the Council room commenced with great violence. This continued for about three-quarters of an hour, completely wrecking everything exposed and sweeping the Council room from side to side, wounding many present. At 2.30 the public building known as the Red House was fired in two places. The Riot Act was read twice from the galleries on each side of the building and the police were ordered to fire. The mob was rapidly dispersed. About this time a large force was landed from His Majesty's ship 'Pallas,' and a contingent of the local force arrived on the scene. All efforts failed to save the Red House, which was completely destroyed with all the records except those in the Registrar-General's vault. The casualties from the firing are nine killed and forty wounded. The police barracks caught fire at the top of the tower, the entrance to which was burnt oat, but the fire was otherwise prevented from spreading; 200 Lancashire Fusiliers are on the way from Barbados. Request immediate Commission of inquiry.In reference to this last sentence, I think the matter is so serious that an inquiry is necessary, and I propose to appoint it at once.