§ MR. MACFIEasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the greater part of the 64,000,000 acres in Southern Africa, shown to be un-alienated in the "Return regarding Crown Lands in the Colonies presented to this House in June, 1870," continues, as there represented to be, available for settlement; and, if so, to what extent the Home Government are acting in concert with the Government in Southern Africa with a view to disposal thereof; and whether it is intended, in arranging a federal constitution for the Colonies in Southern Africa, to take measures for the provision and permanent maintenance of facilities for employing to the best advantage the waste lands, with a view to securing the emigration thither of the classes of colonists most fitted to their requirements?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENSir, the Crown Lands referred to in the Question of the hon. Gentleman remain in the same state as at the date of the Report in June, 1870. No steps have been taken to dispose of them to emigrants, inasmuch as the reply of the Governor of the Cape to Lord Granville's Circular stated that there was no steady demand for the labour of Europeans and no prospect of their obtaining remunerative employment during any large portion of the year. With regard to the second part of the Question, I can only say that the House of Assembly at the Cape has had under its consideration some Resolutions favourable to federation, but that at the present moment it would be quite premature for me to assume or to make any statement relative to the prospects or the conditions of any such federal constitution.