§ 81. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs when it is proposed that Sir Herbert Stanley should take over from the Governor-General of South Africa the functions of High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, and Swaziland; and whether it is proposed that the new High Commissioner should reside and have his headquarters in Southern Rhodesia or in the Union of South Africa and, if the latter, where?
Mr. THOMASAccording to present arrangements, Sir Herbert Stanley will take up his new appointment in April next. He will reside and have his headquarters at Cape Town, where the High Commissioner's office has hitherto been situated, though it is contemplated that he should spend a part of each year at Pretoria. As regards the reference in the question to Southern Rhodesia, I may explain that the duties of the High Commissioner for South Africa in regard to Southern Rhodesia consist of certain supervisory functions in relation to native affairs.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAre we to understand that the latter functions in relation to Southern Rhodesia will be undertaken by Sir Herbert Stanley and not by the Governor-General?
Mr. THOMASThe real reason for this appointment is in consequence of the changed position of the Governor-General in relation to a Dominion. We are responsible for native policy, and, the Governor-General now being responsible to the Dominion Minister, I could not undertake the responsibility of having someone controlling native policy who was not directly responsible to me.