§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that it is the declared policy of the Government to treat the Transvaal as a self-governing colony in all matters in which Imperial interests 106 are not concerned, he will reconsider his decision to restrict the Transvaal Government to the Agents for the Crown Colonies in the purchase of supplies; whether this decision was on the advice of Lord Milner; and whether he will present to this House the correspondence which has passed on this subject, including any resolutions of protest adopted by chambers of commerce and other bodies in South Africa.
§ MR. LYTTELTONHis Majesty's Government entirely adhere to their declared policy to treat the Transvaal as a self-governing colony in all matters in which Imperial interests are not concerned. Having regard to the Imperial guarantee of the Transvaal Loan, Imperial interests are concerned in the financial administration of the Transvaal. I propose to await the arrival of the resolutions of the chambers of commerce, and to give them full consideration. No evidence is yet before me which leads me to suppose that the general taxpayers in the Transvaal are, with knowledge of the facts, dissatisfied with the existing system which, in my judgment, operates to their advantage in respect both to economy and efficiency. Until such evidence is forthcoming I see no reason to reconsider the decision arrived at by my predecessor in this matter, in which I entirely concur and to which I have given effect. Lord Milner has accepted the practice under which imported supplies from England required for the Colonies are indented for through the Crown Agents. I will consider the question of presenting the correspondence when I have received the resolutions referred to, and, as at present advised, I see no objection to doing so.
§ MR. AUSTIN TAYLOR (Liverpool East Toxteth)May I ask if the Transvaal Government is at liberty to purchase any supplies from representatives of foreign manufacturers on the spot, or have they to treat with the Crown Agents for those supplies?
§ MR. LYTTELTONsaid he was not able, without notice, to speak of the practice referred to, but as a general rule, articles required at urgent notice might be purchased on the spot.