§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has referral to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the question of courts martial inflicting the lash upon natives in Natal who refuse to act the part of traitors to their friends; and whether the Secretary of State is satisfied that this punishment is in accordance with British law and custom; and, if not, what action he proposes to take on the subject.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe Secretary of State cannot view without regret the circumstances which in the opinion of the Natal Government render such measures necessary. He is not aware of any case in which they have been carried into effect; and he is confident that nothing 924 but dire necessity involving peril to the lives of many persons would be held by the officers of the Zululand Field Force to warrant their application. There are many precedents in the history of every rebellion in every country and of most wars for the infliction of punishments which would not be in accordance with the custom of this or any country which happily enjoyed a state of profound peace.