§ MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he could, consistently with the public interest, now state the number of Uitlanders in the South African Republic that would within a reasonable time receive the franchise for the first Volksraad; and how many seats they would be able to command under the latest proposals of President Kruger.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I do not know what the hon. Member means by a reasonable time, but Sir A. Milner considers that under President Kruger's scheme the number enfranchised would be considerably less than half of those who might come in under Sir. A. Milner's. As regards the second question, Sir A. Milner says it is uncertain whether they would be able to command any of the four seats, although it cannot be positively affirmed that they would not.
§ MR. J. M. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman say if that is President Kruger's own version of the law, as he is now in communication with him?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. Gentleman had done me the honour of listening to my reply, he would have heard that I had stated it on Sir Alfred Milner's authority.
§ MR. COURTNEY (Cornwall, Bodmin)Is my right hon. friend able to say within what time the half would come on. Would it be immediately?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI assume that it means immediately. There would immediately be something considerably less than one-half of the number that would come on under Sir Alfred Milner's scheme. But whatever number comes on, in Sir Alfred Milner's opinion it is not certain they would gain a seat.
§ MR. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say how soon half of the people of India will be admitted to the franchise?
§ (No answer was given to the question).
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the three batteries of artillery stated by him to be under orders for South Africa are reliefs or reinforcements.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThey are sent as reliefs; but if circumstances should require such a step, the batteries now in South Africa might be retained, and the reliefs in that case would become reinforcements.
§ MR. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any foundation for the statement in the Cape Times that Sir Alfred Milner's despatch of 4th May was not intended for immediate publication.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.