§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Boer Government 652 have, by Act of the Volksraad, arranged for the practical extradition of criminals between the Portuguese authorities in South Africa and the Transvaal, thus infringing Article 4 of the Convention of 1884, which requires the consent of the Suzerain Power?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESThe Volksraad of the South African Republic has passed a Resolution authorising the extradition of criminals to foreign countries with which the Republic has no Extradition Treaty. This does not constitute any infringement of Article 4 of the London Convention, which requires the consent of the Suzerain Power to the making of Treaties by the Republic with foreign Powers, and Her Majesty's Government have no objection to the arrangement.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTDoes not the Resolution of the Volksraad cover the extradition of criminals by foreign Powers to the Transvaal?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESI know nothing about the arrangements of foreign Powers.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTThat is the point. I wish to know whether the arrangement between the Volksraad and the Portuguese authorities does not practically constitute a Treaty?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESI cannot go beyond the answer I have given. No Treaty has been entered into. This is merely an Act of the Volksraad's with which we have no right to interfere.
§ CAPTAIN G. R. BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)Ought not the right hon. Gentleman to have used the expression "the consent of the Queen" instead of the consent of the Suzerain Power"?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESNo, Sir; I think the terms of the answer are more correct.
§ CAPTAIN BETHELLAs a matter of fact, does not Article 4 of the London Convention speak of the "consent of the Queen" and not of the Suzerain Power?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESIf the hon. and gallant Member wishes further information, will he put a Question upon the Paper?