DR. RUTHERFORDI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the appeal of Ameer and others to the
†See (4) Debates, clxxiv., 59–60.620 Supreme Court of Natal from the adverse decision of the licensing officer, supported by that of the Municipal Board of Appeal of Ladysmith, whereby, under powers vested in them by the Natal Dealers' Licences Act, they had refused to renew shop licences of British-Indian applicants, who had in some cases been established as long as twenty-three years; whether he had read the evidence which showed that the adverse decision of the Municipal Board of Appeal had been arrived at without its having before it the records of the matter that was sub judice; whether he had noticed the criticism of the Chief Justice of Natal; and whether he would make further representations to the Government of that Colony on the subject of the manner in which the law in question was being administered.
§ MR. CHURCHILLNo, Sir, but inquiry shall be made.
§ *MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)Is it not the case that intervention on behalf of the Indians is far more likely to prejudice than to help their case in the Colony?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI do not think that would be the result of any intervention.