§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked, with reference to the instructions to the Special Commissioner in Bechuanaland, just presented to Parliament, Whether, since that Country is only to be held "until its further destination is known," and it is the avowed design to annex it to the Cape Colony if practi- 46 cable, the Chiefs to whom Mr. Mackenzie accorded British protection in May last have been, or will be, immediately informed that this protection is not promised as a permanent arrangement, and that if they come under the Sovereignty of the Queen they are liable to be handed over to a self-governing Colony, over which the British Government and Parliament exercise no control?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYI would draw the hon. Member's attention to page 94 of the Blue Book of last year (C. 3,686), in which he will find a Petition signed by Mankoroane and his Councillors praying for annexation to the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope; also, on page 98, a communication from Montsioa's Agent, in June of last year, in which he states that he would agree to a Colonial Protectorate if the Boers were expelled. There is no reason to suppose that the Chiefs are under any misapprehension as to the proposed destination of the country. By giving this answer it is not intended to acquiesce in any view that annexation to the Cape would be a hardship to the Chiefs, as the conduct of the Cape Government and Parliament towards the Natives within the Cape Colony is marked by justice and wisdom.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLsaid, he did not mean to imply that annexation would be a hardship to the Chiefs.