MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sir Alfred Milner, Her Majesty's Commissioner in South Africa, has received and transmitted to Her Majesty's Government a petition by Uitlanders in the Transvaal, complaining that they were not accorded the full rights of citizenship in the Transvaal; and whether there was any precedent for receiving a petition on such a subject from residents in a State which in its internal affairs is independent of this country?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESHer Majesty's High Commissioner of South Africa has received and transmitted to Her Majesty's Government a petition to the Queen from over 21,000 British subjects in the Transvaal complaining of alleged oppression and unjust treatment, and, among other things, of exclusion from the franchise. I am not aware of any precedent for such a petition, nor am I aware of any precedent for the state of circumstances which has led to its presentation; but I apprehend that there can be no doubt as to the propriety of receiving the petition, having regard to the position which this country occupies in relation to the South African Republic.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Is the right honourable Gentleman satisfied as to the genuineness of the signatures?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINThe High Commissioner has carefully examined the petition and considers that the general genuineness of the signatures to it may be vouched for.