Oral Answers to Questions — Bechuanaland.

– in the House of Commons at on 17 December 1935.

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Mr. CREECH JONES:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, what is the position as regards the proclamations isued in 1934 dealing with native administration and native tribunals in Bechuanaland; whether the objections raised by the acting-chief, Tshekedi Khama, have been considered; and whether any modification has been made in the text of the proclamations as a result of his representations?

Photo of Sir Douglas Hacking Sir Douglas Hacking , Chorley

The position is that these proclamations are in force but that, as stated in the Press, application has been made by the acting-chief, Tshekedi, for permission to take proceedings against the High Commissioner in the Special Court of the Bechuanaland Protectorate on the ground that the proclamations are ultra vires in terms of the Order-in-Council of 9th May, 1891. The application has been granted. The proclamations were discussed in great detail with the chiefs before they were enacted. The points raised by the chiefs, including those on which the present application by the acting chief is based, were carefully considered, and the proclamations were revised in order to meet, as far as possible, the suggestions made by the chiefs.