§ 36. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will issue a Return as to the views of the various candidates for the recent elections in Rhodesia, together with the votes polled for each; what proportion of the electorate were employed by the Chartered Company, and how many are employed on railways controlled by the company; how many coloured electors are on the register, and how many electors were on the register in each constituency; and whether the electors were in possession of his views regarding the misuse of his letter by Sir Starr Jameson before 1011 polling took place for the purpose of influencing votes in favour of the South African Chartered Company?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)No, Sir. I cannot undertake to issue such a Return. I have seen difficulties even nearer home in dissecting the quality and quantity of a "mandate." The Resident Commissioner will, no doubt, in due course, report to me through the High Commissioner on the result of the elections, and I will consider whether his Report can be laid. I made a statement with regard to the letter referred to in this House, but except with respect to the reference to the Judicial Committee of the land question, in regard to which I caused a public announcement to be made in Southern Rhodesia, I have made no public statement in Southern Rhodesia.
Sir G. PARKERHas the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the electors in Rhodesia had not a free choice in the selection of candidates?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI have no information.