§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can inform the House if action has been taken, or is about to be taken, in Natal on the unanimous recommendations of the Native Affairs Commission contained in the Report laid before Parliament, and in particular with regard to the abolition of compulsory labour, the desirability of open inquiry or trial where deprivation of rights may be intended, adequate means for acquainting natives with contemplated legislation, the improvement of police methods and avoidance of unnecessary arrest and handcuffing of kraal-heads, compensation to native missions, and reconsideration of the action of the Native Trust in dismantling places of worship.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI cannot give precise information, but ministers have stated that they intend to carry out certain administrative recommendations of the Commission, and that they in part have done so. They have also given an assurance to the Parliament of the Colony that they will introduce legislation to implement as far as is possible the proposals of the Commission, but they state that they cannot deal with the Report as applying to the whole Colony pending a settlement of the matters averred to be a cause of unrest in Zulu-land.