MR.BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tonbridge)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that all English residents in Swaziland and in the Transvaal are unanimously against any consent being given by Her Majesty's Government to the cession of Swaziland to the South African Republic, even with the consent of the Queen of the Swazis; whether he is aware that letters which are sent from British residents in Swaziland are sometimes detained or opened by officials of the South African Republic; if he can state what guarantee could be obtained for the protection of the interests and rights of British subjects in 226 Swaziland which would not have to be enforced by war; if he can state what necessity there is for the cession of Swaziland to anyone, beyond the carrying out of the bargain made by Mr. Cecil Rhodes for the undisturbed advance of his Chartered Company into Mashona-land, as stated in Blue Book, No. C. 6201, page 14; and if he is aware that the present Representative of the British Commissioner in Swaziland has reported to the High Commissioner at the Cape that if Swaziland is handed over to the Boers there will be bloodshed?
§ MR. S. BUXTONIt is possible that English residents in Swaziland might be opposed to being governed solely by the South African Republic; but it is not probable that English residents in the Transvaal are opposed to the alteration of the present system of adminstration in Swaziland. As regards the second quest ion we have no information; but if the hon. Member will furnish particulars inquiry will be made. The guarantees for the protection of the interests and rights of British subjects in Swaziland will form an important element in the forthcoming Conference. The question of the future Government of Swaziland has not been raised by Her Majesty's Government; but they are bound by the pledges of their Predecessors in Office to discuss the matter with the South African Republic before the end of three years from August 1890, with a view to meet as far as possible the wishes of the latter. The Secretary of State is not aware that the present Representative of the British Commissioner in Swaziland has reported to the High Commissioner at the Cape to the effect stated in the question.