§ MR. A. M'ARTHUR (for Sir WILLIAM M'ARTHUR)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true, as reported in the Cape papers, that Mr. Rhodes, the Deputy Commissioner, promised the white adventurers in Stella-land that the titles to land contained in the register of the so-called Government of that territory would be recognised by England; and, if so, whether it is the Intention of Her Majesty's Government to sanction grants of land without inquiry as to whether they were obtained from the natives by legal means or by violence?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYI am unable to add anything to the information which is already in the possession of my hon. Friend in the Blue Books laid last year before Parliament. In. July Mr. Mackenzie entered into the following undertaking (page 125, C. 4,194, August):—
I ratify the claims to the farms which were drawn by lottery by the original volunteers under David Massouw, or otherwise that farms of equal value or fair compensation be granted to those volunteers or the holders of their titles.853 In September, Mr. Rhodes, who had succeeded Mr. Mackenzie, ratified this, and agreed (page 123, C. 4,213, October) "that the land titles of Stellaland be recognized." Early in December, Sir Charles Warren announced to the Stellalanders that the settlement would be adhered to. Sir Hercules Robinson, a few days later, telegraphed that, in his opinion, the settlement of the 8th of September should be adhered to, and the Secretary of State, in reply, approved. The principle adopted, therefore, appears to be that, provided the White men can be confirmed in their present occupation on conditions equitable for the Natives, Her Majesty's Government do not, as at present advised, propose to interfere. They reserve, however, all final conclusions until they have the result of the investigation which, apparently, is now being conducted by Sir Charles Warren, as there may be cases in which it would be impossible to sanction the grant.