Dr. MORGANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Imperial Government have 1337W sanctioned, or have been asked to sanction, the regulation made by the Southern Rhodesian Government prohibiting a native from making use of, walking, standing or loitering on any street, sidewalk or any other path used solely or mainly for pedestrian traffic within the limits of any town; and whether it is proposed to safeguard the rights of the natives in this respect?
§ Mr. LUNNI presume that the regulations which my hon. Friend has in mind are the regulations issued by a town management board in Southern Rhodesia with the approval of the Governor in Council under the Town Management Act, 1926. Power to make by-laws regulating pedestrian traffic in public streets, including the use thereof by natives, was conferred on municipal councils and sanitary boards in Southern Rhodesia by an Ordinance of 1904 which is still in operation, and similar power was given to town management boards, which have replaced the sanitary boards, by the Town Management Act, 1926, Amendment Act, 1929. In view of the provisions of the Southern Rhodesia Constitution Letters Patent, 1923, the latter Act contained a clause suspending its operation until the signification of His Majesty's pleasure. The principle in question having been in force in Southern Rhodesia since 1904, the Governor was informed that His Majesty would not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance in regard to the Act.