§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACHsaid, he wished to put a Question as to his Notice of Motion in regard to the Transvaal. He understood the right hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government, on a former occasion, to have said that circumstances had somewhat altered in the Transvaal since the Easter Recess; and that, at that time, in his judgment, it would be contrary to the public interest that any debate on the subject should take place. Now, he (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach) had not the least wish, in the delicate nature of the circumstances, to do anything which would prejudice the Public Service; but, at the same time, he was anxious that the discussion of his Motion should not be indefinitely delayed. He therefore asked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether, in his view, circumstances had not so far changed as to admit of such a discussion being taken?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the representation which I made with respect to the altered state of affairs in South Africa as bearing on the proposed Motion of the right hon. Gentleman had reference to the examination we had been able to make of the transactions at Potchefstroom; and on those transactions certain measures of the Government required to be adopted. Until those measures are completed, I cannot give any answer 584 to the Question put by the right hon. Gentleman. The last telegram which I saw, and which is dated yesterday, would imply that we shall have the information speedily. But they are not concluded at present, and matters, strictly speaking, are as they were when I last spoke.