HC Deb 31 July 1906 vol 162 cc701-3
MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester)

I beg to ask the Lender-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that Tolonko (or Tilonkwe), a Zulu chief,.visited Pietermritzburg on Monday, July 23rd, on the invitation of the Minister of Native Affairs, and was immediately arrested; whether ho can inform the House if the charges against this chief are for deeds alleged to have been done last.January, one being a refusal to pay poll tax before it was due; whether, although the charges were denied, the chief is to be tried by court-martial; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to see that the statement made to the House that only natives caught in the act of fighting are to be tried by court-martial is to be respected by the Government of Natal.

*MR. CHURCHILL

On July 24th the Governor telegraphed as follows:— '' In accordance with instructions sent to Tilonkwe, one of the most important chiefs referred to came to Pietermaritzburg yesterday. He denies charges made against him. He has been allowed to return to his tribe, but summons has been served on him to return next Monday and stand his trial. I believe that he will do so and that exhibition of military force will be unnecessary." Tilonkwe is described by the Governor as one of the chiefs who defied the Government last March. I have no further information but will inquire.

MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD

asked whether this was the chief who was being tried to-day by court-martial with closed doors.

*MR. CHURCHILL

said be had no information on that point.

MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD

said the hon. Gentleman had not replied to the latter part of his Question, in reference to the undertaking that only natives caught in the act of fighting would be tried by court-martial.

*MR. CHURCHILL

replied that he would make inquiries on the subject.

*SIR CHARLES DILKE

asked whether the hon. Gentleman was aware of the natural anxiety which prevailed hero owing to statements by Natal correspondents of London papers announcing the sentences that would be imposed on these chiefs before the trials took place.

*MR. CHURCHILL

Such statements on the part of newspapers before the trials have taken place are manifestly grossly improper.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

The lion. Gentleman has not explained why these trials are being conducted with closed doors.

*MR. CHUECHILL

It may be that the Natal Government desire to protect themselves from similar newspaper statements.

MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to state whether Gobizembi, Kulu, and Meseni have been tried by court-martial; and, if so, will he say what charges have been preferred against them, when their alleged crimes are said to have been committed, and what sentences have been passed upon them.

*MR. CHURCHILL

Messeni was tried for high treason and murder. Gobizembi has been deposed as is shown by the despatches printed at pp. 30 and 37 of Cd. 2905 and p. 3 of Cd. 3027. Inquiry shall be made as to the precise action taken in these cases.