HC Deb 31 March 1910 vol 15 cc1448-9
Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether, seeing that under the new Constitution granted to-South Africa for the Union Parliament it was laid down that issues affecting the general welfare of the natives in South Africa would be reserved to the Imperial Parliament, and having regard to the congregations of native subjects of foreign Powers, such as of Portuguese and other nationalities from foreign territories close by, who are indentured and under contract in the Transvaal and other South African mines, and to the presence of Asiatics who were resident in the compounds at the time, whose welfare was also under Imperial supervision, will the Secretary of State for the Colonies obtain information relative to the outbreak of infectious disease in the Germiston and contiguous municipality of Johannesburg in the Transvaal Colony, and the incidents leading up to the dismissal of Dr. Michael Arthur Curry, the medical officer of health during the period under review, and to the treatment in general to their medical officials; and whether such treatment acted prejudiciously to the health of foreign natives and the white workers in the mining districts of South Africa?

Colonel SEELY

The matters referred to in my hon. Friend's question are matters for the Transvaal Government to consider and not for the Secretary of State, who does not exercise any authority in respect of them. No complaints regarding foreign natives have reached the Secretary of State through the diplomatic channel.

Mr. O'GRADY

Was it not one of the conditions on which self-government was given to the people of South Africa that this Government should interfere in the interests of the natives?

Colonel SEELY

I think my hon. Friend is confusing, if I may say so, the position of the natives in the Protectorates where we still have authority with that of the natives in the self-governing Colonies where we have not authority.

Mr. REES

May I ask whether in any case the dismissal of an individual doctor could be an issue affecting the general welfare of the natives of South Africa?

Colonel SEELY

It might very easily be.