50 RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT [PART 1
Government not by their representatives, but by a Governor
who did not act on ministerial advice. They recognized the
difficulties of the questions of defence, the native policy, and
the position of Zululand, which they desired to have incor-
porated with Natal, and the complications arising from the
small number of people in the Colony from which to form the
parties necessary for the conduct of ministerial government,
but none of these obstacles need, they thought, be fatal,
and they adduced reasons for this belief. In particular, they
offered that all matters relative to the natives should originate
in the Upper House, which was to be nominee, and which
would thus be exempt from prejudices such as might exist in
a popular body.
In replying on March 5, 1889. Lord Knutsford said that
the willingness of the Imperial Government to grant respon-
sible government was well known, but he indicated that
the proposals as to native affairs were inadequate to secure
the passing of measures in their interests; he said that the
Imperial troops would be withdrawn, but that five years’
grace would be given for the Colony to concert its own
measures of defence after the passing of self-government,
that the annexation of Zululand was not likely soon to be
conceded, and that after self-government was conceded it
was probable that the relations of Natal with the native
tribes beyond its borders would be entrusted to the Governor,
who would be made a High Commissioner for the purpose.
The Legislative Council then asked for any suggestions
as to provisions for native interests, and Lord Knutsford
indicated the reservation of Bills affecting natives, and added
that Bills for compulsory labour, the increase of the hut tax,
limitation of freedom of contract, further restrictions as
regards passes, alteration of native law, and so on, would not
be likely when reserved to be sanctioned. He also asked for
the establishment of a protection board for the natives on the
model of that set up in Western Australia under the reserved
Colonial Bill of 1889, and the placing of a sum not less than
£16,000 annually at the disposal of that board to be spent
! Parl. Pap., C. 6487, p. 21.
