Sir GILBERT PARKERasked whether the treaty between the Transvaal and the Government of Portugal, pledging the Transvaal to develop the import and export trade with Lorenco Marquez for ten years has been ratified; whether this Government has received any official protests from South Africa against the ratification; and whether it is realised what strong objections exist in Cape Colony and Natal to the preferential arrangements made with a foreign country to the prejudice of local colonial development?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Convention between the Transvaal Government and the provincial Government of Mozambique, which has recently been signed by Lord Selborne, contains no provision for ratification. It came into operation on 1st April, after being formally accepted by the three other South African Colonies. I have seen in the Press a certain amount of discussion, but the views of the various Colonies must be taken to be those of their respective Governments.
Sir GILBERT PARKERMay I ask whether no protests at all or representations have been received from the Government of Natal by this Government?
§ Colonel SEELYNo. All the three South African Governments signified their formal acceptance. I may add that Lord Selborne informed us of this on the 29th of March last.