§ MR. NORMAN (Wolverhampton, S.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the case of two English girls from Bilston named Laura and Agnes Hyslop, who were taken under arrest through the streets of Cape Cown by the police, charged with absenting themselves from their employment, and subsequently discharged by the magistrate on the ground that they have been sufficiently punished by this exposure; and, if so, will he say if he can take any steps to prevent in the future such action, as calculated to deter young women from emigrating to South Africa.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) I have seen a newspaper report of the case referred to, but I am not otherwise acquainted with the incident. I am not in a position to interfere in such a matter occurring in a self-governing colony beyond instructing the Governor to call the attention of his Ministers to the subject, which will be done.