MR. A. C.MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Slate for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the speech made by the hon. Cecil Rhodes at a banquet at Cape Town on the 6th instant, in which he is reported to have said that the achievement now brought to a successful issue was the realisation of an early project formerly discussed by him with Sir Hercules Robinson, and approved by that statesman, of securing the Capo Hinterland, and at the same time subjecting one of the most savage portions of Africa to civilised occupation; whether the Government were aware of this previously arranged subjugation and occupation of Matabeleland; and, if so, why Parliament was not so informed; whether his attention has been called to the further remarks in the same speech, in which, referring to the question of Imperial control and Republican sentiment, Mr. Rhodes said that he had no objection to the Crown if the Crown would recognise its duties in the Colonies; if not, the Colonies might deal elsewhere; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI read the telegram referred to, purporting to give a summary of Mr. Rhodes' speech the other day; and for an answer to my hon. Friend's second question I would refer him to Blue book No. 5,918, and especially to pages 138, 140, 171, 172, 189 and 191. I may add, as I have already more than once pointed out, that under the Charter grained by the late Government to the British South Africa Company Matabeleland as well as Mashonaland is included in the principal field of the operations of the Company; the object, as stated in the Charter, being the promotion of trade, commerce, civilisation and good government throughout that area. As regards the last two questions, I have already stated that I am unable to say how far the telegraphic summary substantially represented what Mr. Rhodes actually did say; but we see no reason to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONI am obliged to my hon. Friend for his references to those documents. Will he be good enough to say whether there was any agreement between Sir Hercules Robinson and Mr. Rhodes with regard to this territory?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI do not understand from the telegraphic summary that Mr. Rhodes spoke of an agreement when he was discussing the subject with Sir Hercules Robinson, and probably that would be correct.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONBut did Sir Hercules Robinson distinctly approve the suggestion?
§ MR. S. BUXTONIf my hon. Friend will refer to the Blue Book mentioned, I think he will see that Sir Hercules Robinson was of somewhat the same opinion as Mr. Rhodes in regard to the question.