§ MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what powers are given to the Transvaal Representative Assembly for the control of the railways, the South African Constabulary, the land settlement schemes, the taxation essential to pay the interest on the—35,000,00 loan, and the taxation on commodities imported into the country.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and LeamingtonThe control of railways, of the South African Constabulary, and of expenditure out of the Guaranteed Loan on Land Settlement is by the Order in Council of May 20th, 1903, printed at page 5 of Cd. 1641, vested in the Intercolonial Council. The new Assembly will have powers of legislation with regard to land settlement. The interest on the—35,000,000 loan is a first charge upon railway revenue, which is under the control of the Intercolonial Council, and is further secured on all the assets and revenues of the Transvaal. Customs taxation is fixed by legislation in the Transvaal as well as in the other South African Colonies in accordance with the Customs Convention between the Colonies of 1903. It can only be varied by fresh agreement between the several contracting Colonies.