§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked the Under Secretary of State for 1236 the Colonies, Whether there was any truth in the report that Dr. Jorissen had been dismissed by the Transvaal Government; and, if so, whether he could state the reason of such dismissal; and, whether it was in any way due to, or would have any effect upon, any negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and Dr. Jorissen as Attorney General for the Transvaal?
§ MR. R. N. FOWLERsaid, he should also like to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it was true, as reported, that the Transvaal Volksraad had passed a Resolution, which he would be inclined to call an insolent Resolution, in regard to the policy of the Government in Basutoland?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYIn reply to the Question of the right hon. Baronet (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach), I have to say that we got a telegram last night from the Governor administrating the government at Cape Town, telling us that Dr. Jorissen had been dismissed by the Transvaal Volksraad, but no reason is assigned and no details given; but if I may hazard a surmise, I may say that I cannot believe it to be in any way due to any action of his while over here, because he was not here as the Representative of the Transvaal Government in any way. In reply to the hon. Member for the City of London, I have to say that the same official also informs us that he understands it is true that a Resolution is on its way to him condemning the action of the Imperial Government in consenting to take over Basutoland. I feel bound to say that, in my opinion, this is a very extraordinary action of the Transvaal Volksraad; and without fuller and further explanations and reasons I fail to see what concern they have in the matter.