HC Deb 22 April 1901 vol 92 cc890-1
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the motion introduced in the House of Assembly in Cape Colony on 9th October by the hon. J. X. Merriman, declaring the publication, without his permission, by the Colonial Secretary of Mr. Merriman's letter to President Steyn, dated 11th March, 1898, to be deprecated, and to Mr. Merriman's statement that Sir Alfred Milner had forwarded that letter without the knowledge of Mr. Merriman to the Colonial Secretary, and had, with the Colonial Secretary, been guilty of a breach of the ordinary decencies and courtesies of official life; and whether he has any explanation to offer to these statements.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have seen the report of a debate in the Cape House of Assembly in which Mr. Merriman attacked the High Commissioner and myself in moving a resolution deprecating the publication of his letter. The resolution was rejected by the Cape House, and I have nothing to add to what I have already said on the subject.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Was the resolution rejected by a majority of three, at a time when there were six Members away?

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why he calls the speech an attack upon himself?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is arguing.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will publish his own letter that he sent back with the Rhodes correspondence?

* MR. SPEAKER

That question is out of order.