§ MR. LUTTRELL (Devonshire, Tavistock)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the new Act of the Government of the Cape of Good Hope relating to licences and stamps; whether there has been a very large increase in the fees payable by agents for foreign firms; whether British agents in the Cape of Good Hope would in consequence have to pay these higher fees; and, if so, whether he would make such representations as he may think advisable on behalf of these agents and British trade.
(Answered by Colonel Seely.) Yes, Sir. The Cape Stamp and Licences Act imposes large increases in the fees payable by agents of foreign firms. As the expression "foreign firm" applies to all (even those in South Africa) which are not domiciled in the Cape Colony the higher fees are payable by agents of firms in this country. The Secretary of State has been in communication on the subject with the Cape Government who stated that it has been found necessary to revise the tariffs for all licences with a view to obtaining increased revenue. He will, however, communicate with the Governor again.