§ VISCOUNT MIDLETON, in rising to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Government have decided upon the course to be adopted with respect to Swaziland, and what communications have been addressed to or received from the President of the South African Republic on the question? said, he would remind their Lordships that a continual incursion of Boers into Swaziland was going on, and if no steps were taken very soon, it would be extremely difficult to get them out at all. British rights were largely involved in this question; almost all the mining rights in the country being in the hands of British subjects, and not only our own fellow-countrymen, but the Natives especially needed protection against a largo incursion of Boors. He hoped to hear a satisfactory assurance with respect to Pondoland, similar to that which was made the other day in ''another place" by the Secretary of State for the Colonies with regard to Zululand.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE TOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of ONSLOW)said, that Her Majesty's Government had ascertained that the Swazi King had made complaints to the Transvaal Government of the action of English subjects, precisely similar to those made to the Governor of Natal with regard to the Boers. The fact appeared to be that the King had granted grazing licences to the Boers, and had also granted mining licences of the same ground. The time of year had now come when the Boers would take advantage of these grazing concessions, and would drive in their cattle, and that was the probable reason of those rumours of Boer raids. The Government of the South African Republic had stated their belief that these rumours were unfounded, and had telegraphed that they knew full well the obliga- 853 tions which the London Convention of 1884 imposed upon both parties, that they had always kept those obligations in view, and would continue to do so. Her Majesty's Government were informed that the Transvaal Government had sent a Commission to investigate the position of affairs, and Her Majesty's Government had requested to be furnished with a copy of their Report. Looking at the friendly feeling of the Representatives of the Transvaal Government, and the desire which they had expressed to give effect to the provisions of the Convention of London, Her Majesty's Government had addressed a despatch to Sir Hercules Robinson, inviting him to consider whether some joint action might not be possible between Her Majesty's Government and the Transvaal Government for the maintenance of order in Swaziland.