HC Deb 02 July 1906 vol 159 cc1405-7
SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devonshire, Honiton)

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. Jamieson, compound manager of the Cason mine, was charged at Boksburg Court on the 25th instant with flogging a Chinaman; that Thomas Radcliffe, who was the chief witness, swore that Jamieson administered twenty-five blows with great cruelty, rendering the victim unable to work; that the coolie said he received only one slight blow, and that his evidence was corroborated by other coolies; whether he has official information showing that the magistrate said that the charge brought by Radcliffe was gross perjury, and the case concocted by him; and, seeing that Mr. Jamieson was discharged and Radcliffe arrested in court for perjury and removed to gaol, he will state by whose authority the prosecution of Mr. Jamieson was authorised.

* THE UNDER-SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N. W.)

; I have already informed the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth in reply to a Question on Thursday last† that a report upon the case has been called for by telegraph and will reach us by mail.

* SIR JOHN KENNAWAY

And will the hon. Gentleman inquire who forwarded Radcliffe's affidavit to the authorities?

* MR. CHURCHILL

Yes.

MR. GIBBS (Bristol, W.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that in the case of Mr. Jamieson, charged at the Boksburg Court on June 25th, the magistrate said that the witness Radcliffe had committed perjury, and that he ought to be prosecuted; and whether, if that is so, it is intended to proceed against this witness for perjury.

* MR. CHURCHILL

No official information has yet been received, but a telegram has been sent asking for particulars.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Will the hon. Gentleman make some inquiry into the career of this Radcliffe in this country? Did he not offer his services to each Party alike at the last General Election either to support or condemn Chinese Labour?

MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester)

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Radcliffe has personally stated † See Col. 1128. to Members of this House that that statement about him is absolutely false?

SIR GILBERT PARKER

It is absolutely true.

MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD

It is not.

* MR. CHURCHILL

It would be most improper for me to pronounce any opinion on the character of the man whose name has been mentioned.