MR. CATHCART WASONTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if British subjects are prohibited landing at Beira on the way to British Central Africa or Rhodesia unless possessed of a certain amount of capital; and, if so, if there is any intention to apply a similar Ordinance for the Transvaal.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lytlelton.) The regulations dated 17th November 1902, as to passengers disembarking at Beira, is as follows:—Article 1. Passengers desiring to disembark at Beira will receive permission to do so on complying with one or other of the following conditions. (a) A declaration in writing that their destination is Rhodesia, and, if it be judged desirable, a deposit with the police authorities of a sum of £10, for which a receipt will be given, (b) Proof that the applicant possesses money or its equivalent to the value of £50, and delivery to the police authorities of a sum of £20, as a deposit, for which a receipt will be given. Individuals from whom this receipt will be required will undertake to withdraw from Beira by the first means after the period of eight days shall have elapsed if they cannot show that they have obtained employment or other means of subsistence, (c) Proof to the police authorities that they have immediate employment or other means of subsistence. The deposits to which this article refers will be placed in the hands of the police official on board, who will transfer them to the proper authority. Article 2. The Commissioner of Police may employ the deposits to which Sections (a) and (b) of Article 1 refer in providing subsistence for depositors should they find themselves without means of support and also passage by rail to Rhodesia, or by sea to another port. The deposits to which Sections (a) and (b) of Article 1 refer, or balances thereout of, after the expenses mentioned in the article shall have been paid, will 966 be delivered to the depositor in Beira, or sent to his order at such place as the Commissioner of Police shall determine. Article 3. The Commissioner of Police may effect the expulsion of all persons who may land without observing the regulations laid down in Article 1, should they not immediately submit to them. The Natal and Cape Immigration Restriction Acts prohibit the immigration of any person a pauper or not in possession of visible means of support or likely to become a public charge. A similar Ordinance has bean suggested for the Transvaal.