HC Deb 22 June 1882 vol 271 cc32-3
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he can give the House any information as to the War which is reported to have broken out in Zululand; and whether he can explain how it is that the Zulu Papers lately delivered gave no account of the interview between Sir Henry Bulwer and twenty-one chiefs, which took place on 7th May last?

SIR HENRY HOLLAND

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the accounts of the disturbances in Zululand are substantially correct; whether it is true that the British Resident has been compelled to leave his official residence; and whether it is intended that he should remain in Zululand?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

Sir, we have had no information corroborating the statement that war has broken out and fighting begun. On the 7th instant, Sir Henry Bulwer telegraphed that Mr. Osborne reported that Oham and Umyamana were arming; that he feared a collision between them, and that he thought the movement proceeded from the ex-King party. Sir Henry Bulwer had instructed Mr. Osborne to mediate and endeavour to avert a collision. On the 17th Sir Henry Bulwer telegraphed that Mr. Osborne's reports were still unsatisfactory, though not hopeless. Mr. Osborne was of opinion that the movement was directed by the Cetewayo party against the two Chiefs, with the view, if successful, of setting up Dabuko as King or Regent. And on the 20th Sir Henry Bulwer telegraphed that he had received a report from Mr. Osborne, dated the 13th instant, which was more hopeful, but that the position of affairs was still serious. I think we may presume that the newspaper accounts are inaccurate as to fighting having actually begun, as the official telegrams are later. It does not appear to be true chat the British Resident has been compelled to leave his official residence, and he will, of course, remain in Zululand. The Papers to which the hon. Baronet refers were accidentally omitted.

MR. DAWNAY

said, that in consequence of the answer of the Under Secretary for the Colonies he would postpone the Question of which he had given Notice until further information was received.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked, as a point of Order, whether the following sentence in the Question standing in the name of the hon. Member for the North Hiding of Yorkshire (Mr. Dawnay) was in accordance with rule? The hon. Member asked whether Her Majesty's Government— Will take those speedy and active measures to support the authority of John Dunn and the other loyal chiefs which can alone avert a general Civil War in Zululand? The Question also contained an expression of opinion, the last clause asking for the appointment of Colonel Gordon as Administrator of the Zulu country, Taking into consideration the frequently-expressed wish of the Zulu people that they should be brought under the direct control of the British Government. It appeared to him (Sir Wilfrid Lawson) a Question of that nature ought not to appear on the Papers of the House.

MR. SPEAKER

I am bound to say that the remarks in question are not regular.