HC Deb 03 July 1896 vol 42 cc663-4
SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the British residents in Buluwayo have telegraphed to Her Majesty's Government urging the reinstatement of Mr. Rhodes; whether a meeting of 200 Dutch immigrants has just been held in Matabeleland, and has expressed confidence in Mr. Rhodes and an urgent desire for his reinstatement; and whether he can inform the House of the authority for his statement that there is some difference of opinion among the European colonists in Rhodesia as to the importance of Mr. Rhodes remaining in office?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have received no telegram from the British residents of Buluwayo since the acceptance of Mr. Rhodes's resignation by the directors of the British South Africa Company. I have received a telegram from 200 Transvaal immigrants, resident in Rhodesia, expressing their absolute confidence in Mr. Rhodes and reliance on his policy, and presumably intended to imply a desire for his reinstatement, though not in express terms saying so. The authority for the statement referred to is contained in reports in the public press of meetings and resolutions passed thereat hostile to the administration of the Company.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

May I ask the right hon Gentleman the date, or the approximate date, of the reports to which he refers, and whether there was any reference in those resolutions to Mr. Rhodes himself?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir, they were not personal to Mr. Rhodes; they were complaining of the administration of the Company, of which at that time Mr. Rhodes formed a part.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

With regard to the expression of opinion which the right hon. Gentleman gave the other day in reference to this question——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is arguing the matter.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I was going to ask this question—whether the right hon. Gentleman still adhered to the statement he made the other day, which, of course, referred exclusively to Mr. Rhodes?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir, I did not intend my statement to refer exclusively to Mr. Rhodes.