§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state approximately what has already been expended by the Imperial Government on the Matabele War, and what is likely to be the total expenditure; whether these expenditures will be met by a Vote in this House, or whether they will he charged to the Chartered Company, in view of its being possessed of monetary advantages on Matabeleland, derived from the conquest of that country; whether he has noticed in a recent telegram that Mr. Jameson has sent out a patrol to disarm the Matabeles in order that white men may settle on the "high veldt"; and whether it is to be understood that Her Majesty's Government have assented to the actual native owners being dis- 634 possessed of their land in this "high veldt;" and, if so, whether the land will become the property of the Chartered Company?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)As regards the first question, we are not yet in a position to make a full estimate of the cost, and I would prefer not to make a partial statement on the subject. The expenditure incurred on behalf of the Bechuanaland Police Force will be met by a Vote of this House either in the form of a Supplementary Estimate or as an addition to the Bechuanaland Grant in. Aid of next year. My hon. Friend must recollect that if the Chartered Company obtain monetary advantages from Matabeleland, they will, on the other hand, have to bear the cost of administration. As regards the last two questions, it must be remembered that the Chartered Company under their concessions have the right to deal with the land in Matabeleland as well as Mashonaland, and it must be borne in mind that the land in. Matabeleland is far more than sufficient for the needs of the present population. At the same time, I repeat that which I have stated already more than once— namely, that no action taken previous to the settlement will prejudice the ultimate settlement of the question as regards the interests of the natives, and that on this point we have received satisfactory assurances from the Company; and, further, I again repeat that any settlement must necessarily include as an essential feature due safeguards for the protection and rights of the natives, and that Her Majesty's Government will not assent to any proposal which they do not consider just and reasonable.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to say the Government consider that by some concession the Chartered Company has a. right to all the land in Matabeleland?
§ MR. S. BUXTONUnder the Lippert Concession it has a right to deal with land in Matabeleland as well as Mashonaland.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREDoes not that concession refer specifically to their sphere of mining operations?
§ MR. S. BUXTONIt is within the present and any future sphere of operations.
§ MR. LABOUCHERESo that if the sphere of operations is extended by the slaughter of the inhabitants the Company has a right to the land?
§ [No answer was given.]