§ BARON HENRY DE WORMS (Liverpool, East Toxteth)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the Government of the South African Republic have fulfilled all the conditions contained in Article 21 of the Swaziland Convention of 1890; if not, which conditions remain unfulfilled; (2) whether the independence of the Swazis was fully recognised by Article 12 of the Convention or 1884, and again expressly affirmed by Article 1 of the Convention of 1890; (3) what provisions Her Majesty's Government intend to make in accordance with the terms of those Articles in order further to secure such independence should they determine to withdraw their representative from the Government Committee of Swaziland, and hand over the control of that country to the Smith African Republic; (4) and when Papers on the subject will be presented?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar(1) The conditions mentioned in Article 21 of the Convention of 1890 were negative and not positive, and the South African Republic were under no obligation to take action in regard to them. As a matter of fact, they have not been carried out, and the South African Republic is therefore free, up to May 8th next, to give notice to terminate the arrangement of 1890. (2) By the Convention of 1884 (Article 12), the independence of the Swazis was recognised; and under the Convention of 1890 (Article 1) it was provided that—
No inroad on the independence would be allowed, even With the consent of the Swazi Government, without the consent of both Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the South African Republic.In considering the question of the future Government of Swaziland, Her Majesty's Government have three things to take into account—the welfare of the Swazi nation, the legitimate interests of British subjects in Swaziland, and the fulfilment of the engagements made by the late Government in 1890 with the Government of the South African Republic. (3) As I informed the right hon. Gentleman on Monday, Her Majesty's High Commissioner has been 879 authorised to discuss with the President of the South African Republic such questions as the latter may desire to submit to the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, but it would not be in accordance with the interest of the Public Service to state at present what instructions have been given to Sir H. Loch on the subject. (4) For the same reason it is not desirable at present to make public the correspondence. Papers will he laid before Parliament as soon as the circumstances permit.