§ Mr. BYLESasked whether, having regard to the words in the Dutch Reformed Churches Bill in the South African Parliament, namely, that no coloured person being a member of the church of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope shall be entitled by reason of such membership to claim membership of the church in any of the adjacent provinces, the Colonial Secretary recognises that the Bill enacts a colour disability upon transfer from one Colony to another; and is the Mother Government quite without power to prevent this departure from the traditions of the British Empire?
Mr. HARCOURTI can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stafford on the 4th April.
§ Mr. BYLESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question has been put down to elucidate the contradictory answers given by him formerly? May I ask him whether this Liberal Government is prepared to wink at the erection of a colour bar in one part of His Majesty's Dominions?
Mr. HARCOURTIf there is anything contradictory in the answers given by me I will endeavour to correct them if the hon. Member will show them to me. As regards the second question put by the hon. Gentleman, this Liberal Government is prepared to observe the needs of representative self-government granted to South Africa.
Sir GILBERT PARKERIs it not the case that these restrictive conditions were established when the Constitution was granted to the Union of South Africa by this House?
Mr. HARCOURTI do not think that is quite accurate, but there were restrictive conditions of a sort, no doubt.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEMay I ask whether this proposed Bill docs not come within the category of reserved Bills requiring the assent of the Crown?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs it not a fact that questions connected with the native races were specially reserved by the Union Act of Parliament?
§ Mr. MORRELLDoes this Bill impose religious disabilities on subjects of His Majesty by reason of their colour?