§ BARON HENRY DE WORMS (Liverpool, E. Toxteth)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the provisions 546 of the Convention of 1890, which expires this year, notice has been given, either by the Transvaal Government or by Her Majesty's Government, under Article 9 of that Convention, to terminate the exiling arrangement relative to the Government of Swaziland; and, if so, whether he will state if Her Majesty's Government is now negotiating with the President or the Transvaal Republic for the cession of Swaziland to that Republic, with absolute jurisdiction over all European and Native affairs?
§ MR. BUXTONNotice of termination of die Convention can be given at any time up to May 8th next. No such notice has been given on either side, nor is it the intention of Her Majesty's Government to give any such notice. But they have authorised Sir Henry Loch to intimate to the President that, if the South African Republic so desire, they are willing that he should go into conference with the President, in accordance with the understanding between the late Government and the South African Republic, in order that the arrangement of 1890 should be re-considered.
§ BARON H. DE WORMSWith reference to the answer given by the Under Secretary, I wish to ask him whether he is aware that under the Convention of 1890 the joint government was to continue for three years, and not be terminated after the expiration of three years unless six months' previous notice were given by either party; and, further, if he is aware that the Convention was signed by President Kruger and presented to the Volksraad On August 4th, 1890, and that, therefore, six months' notice expired this month?
§ MR. BUXTONI must ask notice of the question?