§ COLONEL LEGGE (St, George's, Hanover Square)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information regarding the native rising in Natal; and what precautions have been taken for the safety of the white population in that colony.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The Secretary of State has received the
† MR. KEIR HARDIE: To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has official information showing that the Native chief Gobizembe, head of one of the Natalian tribes, has been fined 1,200 head of cattle and 3,500 sheep, and a portion of his land confiscated; and, if so, whether this action was taken by the military or civil authorities of Natal; and whether a Report of the proceedings has been sent to the Colonial Office; and if so, what justification is offered for such, proceedings.1249 following telegram from the Governor of Natal, dated yesterday:—"Although certain tribes are still giving trouble and general situation far from satisfactory, Government hope to be able to demobilise Mackenzie's column by the end of week, and to deal with outstanding recalcitrants by Police Field Force only. General Officer Commanding in South Africa agrees to leave 2nd Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in Pieter-maritzburg for the present." The Natal Government are evidently satisfied that the precautions which they are able to take by means of their Police Field Force will now be sufficient.