§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the failure of the South African Confederation Scheme has altered the view of the Government with regard to the retention of Sir Bartle Frere at the Cape?
MR. GLADSTONEAs I made the fullest statement to the House upon this subject on a previous occasion, it may be convenient that I should make a reply to the Question of the hon. Member. Her Majesty's Government have received with very great concern the intelligence which has arrived from the Cape, showing that the proposals of the Cape Ministry for the promotion of Confederation among the Colonies have been frustrated. I am aware that that fact has a serious bearing upon the statement I addressed to the House on an early day of this Session; but it is not possible for the Government, from the succinct telegraphic notices that have arrived, to form any sufficient and comprehensive judgment on the circumstances, and, consequently, I cannot at present answer my hon. Friend; but when the despatches giving a clear and full account of the occurrences have arrived, the matter will have our full and serious consideration.