§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been directed to a speech delivered at Greytown by Sir Henry M'Cullum, Governor of Natal, while the peace negotiations were pending, in which His Excellency commented on the demands made by the Boer delegates and on their delay in sending their answer; and stated that they were meanwhile living at 1540 the British Government's expense on the best provisions procurable; and what action, if any, does he propose to take with reference to this language In putting the Question the hon. Member said that in the manuscript he originally handed in at the Table he had reproduced the language actually used by Sir Henry M'Cullum, which was extremely vulgar and offensive, but it had been toned down in the Question as it appeared on the Paper.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member should have complained to me if he was dissatisfied.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI do not complain, I would not have taken the trouble.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI think I have a right to deprecate the language the hon. Member has used with regard to a public servant upon insufficient and unsatisfactory evidence. I have seen an abbreviated newspaper account of the speech in question, but do not know if it is correct. I do not think it necessary to take any action in the matter.