HC Deb 11 March 1904 vol 131 c856
MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before he gives his decision on the question of the importation of Asiatic labour into Rhodesia, he will, in view that a register of the colonists is available, submit this issue to them in the form of a referendum, as adopted by the Australian Colonies in the case of the Constitution of the Commonwealth.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) There is no provision in the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia for a referendum, nor, having regard to the fact that the Legislative Council contains elected members, is there, in my opinion, any necessity for resorting to a referendum.