HC Deb 13 May 1887 vol 314 cc1813-4
MR. M'ARTHUR (Leicester)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Heads of the Zulu people have accepted the boundary fixed by the recent Convention with the Boers, together with the British Protectorate over East Zululand; and, whether he is able to communicate to the House any information as to the establishment of Law and order in Swaziland?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)

No formal concurrence as to the boundary has been given by the Zulu Chiefs; but they are understood to have accepted it, now that they have been informed that the arrangement is final and cannot be altered. They received favourably the announcement that the supreme authority and protection of Her Majesty would be extended to Zululand. Her Majesty's Sovereignty will be declared over Zululand, which includes the Reserve and what has been called Eastern Zululand, and Residents will be appointed under the Governor of Natal, who will also be appointed Governor of Zululand, with power of legislating and establishing Courts by Proclamation. As to Swaziland, Her Majesty's Government are precluded, by Article 12 of the Convention with the South African Republic, from assuming the control of that territory, and nothing has occurred there to warrant active interference in its affairs. Assurances have been given by the Government of the South African Republic that they are mindful of the obligations resting upon them, as upon Her Majesty's Government, by the Convention to maintain the independence of Swaziland.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

Will the Boer Republic in Zululand be absolutely independent?

SIR HENRY HOLLAND

Certainly; because it is no longer a part of Zulu-land—it is carved out of Zululand.