§ MR. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the ease that the King of Swaziland has lately granted two concessions, giving power to the grantees to impose licenses in their discretion, to fix customs tariff, and to collect revenue there from; also to make treaties with Foreign States for that purpose; whether it is the case that these concessions are now owned by the Transvaal Government; whether he can lay on the Table copies of the concession; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will tender to the King any advice as to the propriety of the course he is taking, so as to prevent the interests of Her Majesty's subjects being prejudiced by such concessions?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethThe Secretary of State has been informed that such concessions are among the numerous ones which the King of Swaziland has signed; but he has no information that they are among those which have been acquired by the South African Republic. As regards the alleged concession relating to licenses, lie has heard that it was revoked on the 2nd March. Copies of the concessions are not in the Secretary of State's possession, and, therefore, cannot be laid on the Table. The state of affairs in Swaziland is receiving the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government. They expect to receive valuable information from Colonel Martin, who, it is believed, is now on his way to that country.