§ Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to the case of Elliott Kamwana, a native of Nyassaland, who was brought before the resident magistrate's court at Chinteche, Bandawe, on 18th March last; if so, will he say what was the charge there made, and were any witnesses called in support of that charge; and, if not, on what grounds was he committed to prison until 4th May?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)The attention of the Secretary of State was called to this matter in June last. The charge against Elliott Kamwana was that his preaching was of such a wild and extravagant character that, it was likely to produce serious native complications; this was substantiated by sworn native and European evidence. It was not necessary to call any witnesses at the Governor's inquiry, since Kamwana admitted to the Governor that his teaching was of the nature which had been reported.
§ Colonel SEELYNo, Sir. He was detained under an Ordinance until inquiries were made into the nature of his speech. That inquiry was held and the result is as I have stated.
§ Mr. F. E. SMITHWhere was he detained?
§ Colonel SEELYHe was detained at the place where he was preaching. The Governor gave him the alternative of either stopping his preaching or going away.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEIs it a fact that the preaching complained of referred to the Second Advent?
§ Colonel SEELYThat was one of the things. Another was that there was to be no further taxation and that was considered to be wild and extravagant. Another statement was that the white population should disappear on a given day, and it was thought some excitable person might wish to hasten that event.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWas the statement that the abolition of taxation was to follow the Second Advent?
§ Colonel SEELYVery likely.