§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government has received a communication from the Chamber of Mines of Johannesburg, through the Lieutenant-Governor, concerning the now regulation requiring notices to be posted in the mines informing the coolies that they may be repatriated during their term of contract; if so, what was the exact nature of the communication; and what reply did the Government make.
§ MR. CHURCHILLA memorandum from the Chamber of Mines on the subject has been transmitted to the Secretary of State, but has not yet arrived though the important parts have been telegraphed. No answer has as yet been sent, and I am not able to state the nature of the communication at present. I may add that it is not clear to the Secretary of State, as yet, whether the communication is of a confidential character.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKERMay I ask if the Secretary of State will not take into consideration the question of delaying the Proclamation just road until the communication has been received?
§ MR. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. The Proclamation has been delayed long enough.