§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the alleged Treaty between the agents of the Chartered Company of South Africa and Mutassa in regard to Manicaland; whether he can state what presents were given to Mutassa either before or after his signifying his assent to the alleged Treaty; whether any intoxicating liquor was given to him; and whether, when he agreed to a Treaty, which, according to the Times correspondent, included the right to establish banks in what he considered his territory, there is any evidence to show that he understood to what he agreed?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSON, Manchester, N.E.)It would not be desirable to lay Papers while the negotiations are proceeding. We have no information as to the presents given to Mutassa—they are sure to have been suitable—nor whether any liquor was given to him. The Treaty is said to have been signed in the morning. The right of carrying on banking business was included in the concession, the terms of which were, as we are informed, discussed at great length by the Chief and his Indunas, and were carefully explained to them. The latter repeatedly stated that the Chief was perfectly free, as no Treaty of any sort had previously been signed by him, and no concession had been given by him to any one.
§ Mr. PICTONWhat is the word in the vernacular that is equivalent to "banking?" May I also ask if this matter will be settled with Portugal before any Papers are laid on the Table of the House?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI am not acquainted with the vernacular. In regard to the second question, I am not in a position to make a promise; but if the hon. Gentleman will put the question on the Paper, I will endeavour to answer it.