§ MR. MACKARNESSI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been called to a statement made by the Attorney-General on 3rd June that there was a contract between this country and Dinizulu for the payment of his salary, and that the legal situation showed without any doubt an obligation on this country which he was sure the House would be glad to hear this country did not mean to neglect; whether this represents the view of His Majesty's Government; and, if no, when His Majesty's Government intend to fulfil this obligation by paying the arrears of salary due to Dinizulu.
§ COLONEL SEELYI need hardly say that the Secretary of State has given the most careful consideration to the opinion which the Attorney-General has expressed 1708 that His Majesty's Government are under an obligation to see that Dinizulu receives his salary. His Majesty's Government abstained from taking any action in the matter when they understood that active steps were on the point of being taken to prosecute Dinizulu's claim against the Natal Government by legal action in the Colony. They are not aware of the reason why this action has been so long delayed, but they now consider that a continuance of the present situation, besides being detrimental to the interests of the prisoner, whose resources are almost exhausted, tends to prolong an unfortunate and embarrassing conflict of opinion between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Natal. They are anxious to remove the cause of this difference forthwith; and they cannot view with satisfaction the prospect of efforts being made to enforce by legal action what they regard as an honourable obligation of the Crown. They have therefore decided that Dinizulu's salary so far as it has accrued shall be paid from Imperial funds, and this House will in due course be invited to vote the necessary sum.
§ COLONEL SEELYI cannot say.