HC Deb 26 April 1883 vol 278 cc1162-3
MR. SALT

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in the event of a rising of the Natives of South Africa in sufficient strength to imperil the safety of the Boers of the Transvaal, the Suzerain of that Country is in any way bound by the Convention of 1881 to interfere for their protection; since it appears that the Clauses of the Convention that have been framed for the protection of the Natives are practically inoperative?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, the Question relates to a contingency that the Transvaal Government may be put in peril by an insurrection of the Natives, and is founded on the assumption that the clauses for the protection of the Natives have failed in their effect. I am not prepared to make any admission to that effect; because I do not think that our knowledge is such as to justify any statement of that kind on the part of the Government. But with respect to a condition of things in which the Government of the Transvaal would have occasion to apprehend danger from the Natives, that is an extremely remote contingency, in reference to which I am not aware that there is anything in the Convention which directly bears upon it. In such a contingency the conduct of the Government must be directed by general considerations and the principles of right and equity.

MR. GORST

asked whether, as appeared to have been intimated "elsewhere," the Government had expressed any intention of revising the Convention?

MR. GLADSTONE

I am not aware that such a statement has been made "elsewhere." If so, I think the hon. and learned Member must have referred to a statement by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies (the Earl of Derby) that this Convention is not to be regarded as an inviolable and unalterable document. The hon. and learned Member himself knows very well that at the time it was concluded the Transvaal Government pressed for certain changes in it, and Her Majesty's Government suggested that the Convention must first be fairly tried. In my opinion, a state of things is now ripening in which the Government can entertain proposals for altering the Convention.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN'

asked whether, before any alteration in the Convention was concluded by the Government, the House would be furnished with an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the subject?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think it would be premature to enter into a subject which must remain for future consideration.