§ MR. J. E. ELLISI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any reply has been received from the Chartered Company to the letter of the Secretary of State for the Colonies respecting the recent cattle raidings and 1168 land seizures in Matabeleland by the agents of that Company; and, if so, what is its nature; whether the House may be satisfied that these land seizures and any other such proceedings will be treated by the Government as of no effect when they are considering and deciding on the political settlement of Matabeleland; whether full information as to the details of the conduct of hostilities and the subsequent proceedings will be placed before the House at an early date; and whether particulars of the proposed political settlement will be in the hands of Members for a reasonable interval before any Vote is asked for next Session?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)In regard to the first question, we could not as yet have received an answer. We have just received the following telegram from Sir H. Loch, in reply to our telegram which I quoted yesterday:—
I am not aware of starvation amongst Matabele, but they are told to go back to their kraals to plough and raise grain for next season. Buluwayo kraal has ceased to exist, Lobengula having burnt it. I objected to laying down arms being considered as a condition of submission, and desired the order to be dealt with in a liberal spirit; I shall repeat my instructions under this head. From reports I receive I gather Matabele are returning in small parties, but are deterred from doing so en masse for fear of Lobengula's possible return. Cattle taken by British South Africa Company are, I am informed, the King's, not the people's, and their capture is best evidence to Matabele that he has been beaten, as they are the symbol of a Chiefs authority. I have no knowledge of townships being marked out, or any interference with kraals. I will, however, give instructions to Jameson at once that neither is to be done pending "arrangements approved of by Her Majesty's Government.The answer to the second question is in the affirmative. One of our main objects, when considering the proposals for a settlement that will be placed before us, will be to secure that the rights and interests of the natives are properly safeguarded, and that they remain in possession of land, water, and cattle, sufficient for their independent support. As regards the third and fourth questions, further Papers, and—if carried through by that time—the Papers relating to the political settlement of Matabeleland, will be presented to Parliament in ample time before any Vote is taken.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government contemplate carrying out this scheme of taking away from all persons all land beyond the absolute requirements of individuals in England as well as in Africa?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI would suggest that the hon. Member had better address the question to the First Lord of the Treasury.