§ 26. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now give directions for the withdrawal of the order for the deportation of Mr. Galbraith Cole from East Africa; and whether he is aware that opinion in the Colony is very strongly in favour of this course?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)As at present advised, I do not propose to reopen this matter.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this unfortunate gentleman has been excluded for something like six years, that he has very large interests in the country upon which he is largely dependent for his living? In view of the opinion expressed by the Labour party against deportations, does he not think that he might reconsider his decision?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI cannot accept the Noble Lord's statement as to six years' exclusion; I think it is rather less than two years.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYIs it not a fact that this gentleman was acquitted by the Court when a charge was brought against him? Has not this taken place under the Indian Penal Code, which was not intended to apply to Europeans? And is not action of this kind, the gentleman having been acquitted, even more arbitrary than that which has recently taken place in South Africa?
§ Mr. HARCOURTThe prisoner, I think, was acquitted by the jury after having confessed to the murder.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of the nominated Members of the Legislative Assembly in the Colony have resigned their posts, largely on account of the friction caused by this and other cases between the Government and the settlers?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI think there is no justification for attributing the whole of the few resignations which have taken place to this matter.