HC Deb 16 July 1906 vol 160 cc1328-9
MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the action of the school board at Marnisburg, in Cape Colony, on which the Ditch have obtained a majority, in dismissing all the English teachers in the schools of the district; and whether he will bring this matter to the notice of the Government with a view to safeguards being introduced in the new constitutions of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony against injustice being done to British officials in those Colonies.

MR. CHURCHILL

I have seen a newspaper statement to this effect. The general position of British or other officials likely to be affected by the forthcoming constitutional changes in the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies will certainly not escape the notice of His Majesty's Government so far as that is not inconsistent with the general principles of responsible government.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Croydon)

But, Sir, will the hon. Gentleman take immediate steps to ascertain whether this outrage has, in fact, been committed.

MR. CHURCHILL

said he should himself hesitate to accept, upon such testimony as they had before them, the word " outrage" which the right hon. Gentleman had used in regard to a proceeding of local government in a. responsibly governed Colony.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Does the hon. Gentleman mean us to understand that the turning out of all the teachers in a British school in a British Colony because these teachers are English is not an outrage?

MR. CHURCHILL

said he had answered fully the Question on the Paper, and if the right hon. Gentleman wished to put further Questions, perhaps he would give notice.

MR. LONSDALE

asked whether the hon. Gentleman would promise to make special inquiries concerning this report.

MR. CHURCHILL

said he was quite unable to make a promise of that kind himself. He was bound to consult the Secretary of State on the matter; and if the hon. Gentleman would put a Question on the Paper, he would have the opportunity of conferring with the Secretary of State before giving an Answer.