§ MR DILLONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any despatches received from Sir William Butler during the period covered by the last Blue Book on affairs of South African Republic [C. 9345] have been withheld; and whether a Minute of the Cape Government on the affairs of the Transvaal was forwarded by Sir William Butler, and has not been printed in the Blue Book.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINSir William Butler transmitted a great number of Resolutions passed by meetings of the South African League, and in two instances sent Minutes of the Cape Government commenting on the Resolutions. Neither these Resolutions nor the comments of the Cape Government upon them have been included in the Blue Book [C. 9345], but there is no objection to their publication. In the preparation of papers for publication I have followed the usual practice and have included everything essential to the proper understanding of their subject.
§ MR. DILLONMy question had reference to the period when Sir William Butler was acting as locum tenens for Sir Alfred Milner. I wish to know whether any despatch has been received giving the opinions of Sir William Butler, which has been suppressed.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINA despatch giving the opinion of Sir William Butler is published in the Blue Book. Beyond that I cannot give any information.