§ Lieut.-Colonel MEYLERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the Ordinance of the Natal Provincial Council amending the Natal Township Act of 1881 by the total elimination of Asiatics from township franchise, to which 1377W Ordinance the Governor-General-in-Council has reserved his assent; whether he has received any communication from the Government of the Union of South Africa on the subject; and, if so, what action does he propose to take in the matter?
Mr. THOMASI have seen a statement in the Press on the subject, but no communication has been received from the Governor-General. Under the South Africa Act, 1909, it rests with the Government of the Union of South Africa to decide whether assent should be given to Ordinances passed by a Provincial Council, and no question therefore of action by His Majesty's Government arises.