MR. GORSTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the terms of peace with the Transvaal Boers were published "by authority" in Natal, and confirmed a statement that the Royal Commissioners "will take into consideration measures for the protection of native interests;" whether the terms of peace were also published for general information in the "Transvaal Gazette Extraordinary" of 29th March 1881; but this latter version was wholly silent as to native interests, which were not even mentioned; and, what is the reason for this discrepancy between the two versions of the terms of peace so published; and, which of the two is correct?
MR. GLADSTONEsupposed he need not say that this was the first notice he had had of these local publications. The hon. and learned Gentleman had quoted them, he believed, quite accurately. There was a discrepancy between them, or at least a variance between them. But the announcement with respect to the point raised by the hon. and learned Member was not correct. He ought, perhaps, to remind, or to acquaint, the hon. and learned Member, as the case might be, with the fact that there was on the Table of the House a letter of Sir Evelyn Wood's which contained a 1953 distinct statement of the terms of agreement with the Boers, and there was a despatch on the same subject among the Papers published.
MR. GORSTI understand the right hon. Gentleman cannot give the House any information as to why the omission took place in The Transvaal Gazette?
MR. GLADSTONEBoth statements are imperfect summaries, of course. I have no knowledge of the manner in which communications were made to the local journals.