§ MR. MOLTENOI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a new rental of £1 per adult male native, in addition to other taxes, was imposed upon all natives residing on the Transvaal Crown lands by the Transvaal Executive Council in July, 1903; whether this imposition had the sanction of His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies; and whether such imposition is lawful without express legislation.
§ MR. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. The circumstances are explained in the Report of the Commissioner of Lands laid before Parliament in July, Cd. 3028, page 25. The position of natives on Crown lands is assimilated to that of tenants living on private farms. The Secretary of State saw no reason to interfere. No special legislation seems required, the case being merely that of contract between landlord and tenant.
§ MR. MOLTENOwas proceeding to ask a Question as to a Report in 1904, when Mr. Speaker suggested that notice should be given.