§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, if Dinizulu's solicitor and representatives are allowed to 186 proceed to Zululand to obtain evidence for Dinizulu's defence.
§ MR. G. GREENWOOD (Peterborough)I beg also to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether Dinizulu's solicitor or legal adviser has been refused permission to enter Zululand for the purpose of investigating evidence on his behalf; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to secure free access to Zululand for such solicitor or other legal adviser, in order that Dinizulu may not be prejudiced in his defence.
§ MR. CHURCHILLComplaint of such refusal has been made, but the Natal Government, as appeared from the telegram which I read to the House on 10th March, state that they will give the usual opportunities to the defence to obtain evidence. I am making further inquiries on this head.
§ MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the fact that the chief Dinizulu has been ever since the 23rd of December in prison, and under secret examination before a magistrate in Natal upon charges which have never been specified, and are not based upon sworn information, and considering that this chief is a British subject towards whom the Imperial Government has special obligations, he will consider the advisability of recommending that an application be made to the Supreme Court of Natal for an order for his liberation from custody.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI do not gather from my hon. and learned friend's Question to whom he would desire the Secretary of State to address such a recommendation. Obviously it could not be made to the Natal Government, because they are the prosecutors in the name of the Crown, and as to the other party to the proceedings, namely, the prisoner—he is represented by his legal advisers, who will, I feel sure, make such an application to the Supreme Court when they think it desirable in the interest of their client.
§ *MR. REESMay I ask if it is true that the Government of Natal addressed 187 a minute to the Governor of Natal pointing out the patent untruth of the charges brought against the Government of Natal in this respect?
§ MR. CHURCHILLYes, some message of that kind has undoubtedly been addressed to the Governor by the Minister. But the charges were of a very numerous character, and we have asked for specific information on the various points referred to.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware that all the relations between the Government and responsible self-governing Colonies are carried on through a system of Ministerial minutes. As to which of these minutes should be published I cannot say until the times comes to lay them.