§ Mr. ALFRED LYTTELTONasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the three inspectors recently dismissed in the Orange River Colony asked for an inquiry into the vague charges made against them, and that a meeting 1654 was arranged with them, first for 22nd April and then for 30th April, by the-Attorney-General; that these dates being-abandoned the Director of Education, urged that the said meeting should take place at the earliest possible date; that, notwithstanding these arrangements, before any meeting was held the three inspectors were summarily dismissed from their office; and whether, in view of the effect of such action upon the tone of public life in the Colony, and to the insecurity caused to Civil Servants by the feeling that on the strength of untested charges they are liable to be dismissed without being allowed to state their case to the responsible Minister, he will say what steps His Majesty's Government-have taken or propose to take in the matter?
§ Colonel SEELYWe are still awaiting a full report from the Governor, but, as I stated in reply to a supplementary question put by the right hon. Gentleman on 16th June, I do not see what action could be taken in such a matter, which is within the competence of a self-governing Colony.
§ Mr. LYTTELTONAm I to understand from that answer that the Government consider that, in consequence of the grant of responsible Government to the Colony, they are debarred from making any representations in the interest of British subjects in the Colony?
§ Colonel SEELYI can only repeat that this is a matter well within the competence of a self-governing colony. If the right hon. Gentleman implies that gross hardship is inflicted, I can only again say that in the absence of full reports we are unable to say whether hardship has or has not been inflicted. The right hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware that the Attorney-General for the Orange River Colony is due in this country on Saturday, and it is very undesirable I should now make a statement on imperfect knowledge before he arrives.
§ Mr. LYTTELTONIs the hon. Gentleman not aware it has been publicly stated by the Bishop of Bloemfontein that the facts are as stated, and is he unable under these circumstances to make any representations to the Orange River Colony on the subject?
§ Colonel SEELYI am aware that the Bishop of Bloemfontein has said that, but I am aware also of statements made by 1655 other officials in whom we have confidence. I repeat it would be most unwise to make any representations at present to the Government of the Orange River Colony.