§ Mr. ESSEXasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Dutch Reformed Churches Union Bill, now or recently before the South African Union Parliament, proposes to enact a colour disability upon the transfer of membership by certain persons from one church to another; and whether the Mahomedan churches in South Africa have any colour or racial barriers to membership with their adherents?
The HON. MEMBERalso asked the Prime Minister, whether he can exercise power or give advice in such a way as to ensure the deletion from the Dutch Reformed Churches Union Bill, now or recently before the South African Union Parliament, of such clause or clauses as refuse the right of membership in such federating churches to persons for the sole reason that they are not wholly of white parentage?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)It is not correct that the Bill enacts a colour disability upon transfer of membership from one church to another, for the Bill is one for uniting the different Dutch Reformed Churches. I quoted the text of the clause in question in reply to a question in the House on 27th March. I see that Mr. Merriman stated in debate that no colour line existed in the Mahomedan churches, but I have no official information on this point. In reply to the hon. Gentleman's other question on the same subject addressed to the Prime Minister I would say that whatever views I may hold upon the matter it is one within the competence of the Union Legislature, and I do not therefore propose to interfere.
§ Mr. HARCOURTI think the two answers agree; they have been compared with that object.