MR. GUYDAWNAYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he can give any information to the House as to the present condition of Zululand, especially with regard to the Reserved Territory, and to the truth, or otherwise, of the report that Dinazulu and a Mr. W. Grant issued, on the 16th August, a Proclamation granting to filibustering Boers a large portion of Zulu Territory for use as an "Independent Republic," and in reward for their services in assisting the Usutus to defeat the appointed Chief Usibepu, and to kill the men, women, and children of his tribe?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYI am happy to be able to say that the condition of affairs in and near the Reserve appears to be much improved. It is reported to us that the Usutus in the Inkhandlha country have formally submitted themselves in a manner which the British Resident thinks satisfactory, and the General commanding has telegraphed that he sees no objection to a reduction in the strength of the troops in Zululand. Of course, a watchful and ready attitude must still for some time be maintained there. The Proclamation referred to will be found in the Papers laid on the Table of the House, which will be distributed in a few days. It tallies with the terms of the Question, except that there is no mention of any services for which the grant of territory is to be the reward.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERwished to know if the Papers would be in the hands of Members to-morow?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYsaid, he hoped that some would be in the hands of hon. Members to-morrow; but these would be the Papers which he promised last Session, and would not bring affairs up to the present date. The Papers to which he referred on Thursday would be another week.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERasked if he understood correctly that the Papers to be in the hands of Members to-morrow would 151 be only those promised at the end of last Session?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYsaid, that, of course, at the end of last Session he could not promise Papers beyond that.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERInasmuch as the state of South Africa is referred to in Her Majesty's Gracious Speech, it would be of immense convenience to hon. Members if the Papers up to date could be in their hands before the debate on the Address is concluded. It will be of great inconvenience if they cannot.
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYAs far as the Colonial Office is concerned, they have no control over the Papers after they are laid on the Table; but I am pressing the printers and officers of the House to have them distributed as soon as possible.
§ MR. GUY DAWNAYinquired whether the arrangement mentioned in the Under Secretary's reply had been approved by Her Majesty's Government?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYHer Majesty's Government have nothing to do with the Proclamation.
MR. GORSTPerhaps I may be allowed to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, who, I believe, is responsible for the printing of Papers—[Mr. COURTNEY: No, no.] Then I ask the Prime Minister, who is responsible for the printing of Papers laid on the Table, whether Papers, not very voluminous, laid on the Table on Thursday, cannot be distributed before the end of the following week?
§ [No reply was given.]