QUEEN'S SPEECH —HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS. (Hansard, 24 May 1880)

THE EARL OF CARNARVON

said, he desired to say a few words in regard to the gracious Answer which had come down from Her Majesty. The closing words of the Speech from the Throne indicated three great points. First of all, Her Majesty commended to the favourable consideration of the authorities the projected Confederation in South Africa; secondly, Her Majesty stated her intention of maintaining her supremacy over the Transvaal; and, thirdly, Her Majesty indicated her intention of extending to the European settlers institutions based on large and liberal principles of self-government. In regard to the policy of Confederation, it had been very much assailed, and had undergone great vicissitudes of fortune during four or five years; but he still believed himself that such would be found the best security for the development and prosperity of the South African Colonies, and also the best security to the Home Government against a recurrence of calamitous and expensive wars, such as those in which they had recently been engaged. He, therefore, viewed that announcement with great satisfaction, 299 and he would also say that he agreed most heartily with the intention expressed by Her Majesty of maintaining her supremacy over the Transvaal. He had no doubt that the Secretary of State for the Colonies would hear a great deal more of this from South Africa, in the form of Memorials and Protests; but he only trusted that he would be perfectly firm and unhesitating in his language, and that he would not give any encouragement whatever to the Dutch settlers to suppose that there was any uncertainty in the minds of the Government. He was certain that this was not only the wisest and soundest policy, but that it was one of true kindness to the Dutch settlers themselves. Lastly, it was stated in the Royal Speech that it was intended to establish in the South African Colonies institutions based on large and liberal principles of self-government. He had nothing whatever to say against that proposal. On the contrary, he had always entertained the view that such institutions should be given to the Transvaal; but he took the liberty of suggesting to the Government that they should be cautious on two points. He trusted that they would bear in mind that the Native population far outnumbered the Whites within the limits of the Transvaal. Next, he hoped the Government would establish those institutions in such a manner and under such conditions that they might not be used hereafter as a lever against the maintenance of the supremacy of the Crown in the Transvaal. The case of the Ionian Islands might be borne in mind by way of caution. Years ago one of the difficulties which was experienced there was that whenever the Legislature of those Islands was called together, the first thing proposed was the passing of a Resolution repudiating the suprernaej' of the Crown. He hoped Her Majesty's Government would keep this matter fully in view. He entertained very little doubt of the future prosperity of the Transvaal, on one condition—that we were not in too great a hurry to secure its complete settlement. First, there ought not to be an immediate or very summary withdrawal of the troops. Their withdrawal ought to be effected gradually and with the greatest caution. Otherwise, in the present temper of the Colony, there would be a difficulty in connection with the taxes. 300 Secondly, every care ought to be taken to stop anything like the importation of arms into the Transvaal. It was far easier to stop an importation of arms than to disarm a population. Thirdly, every legitimate facility should be given to the immigration' of English Colonists into the Transvaal. In that lay the key to a great deal of the future settlement of the Transvaal. Lastly, he hoped every effort would be made by our Government to keep up communication with the Government of the Orange Free State. He had the pleasure of knowing something personally of the President of that State, and he knew that no man could have been more friendly, and none could have acted with more complete straightforwardness and loyalty to this country during recent difficulties. He was satisfied that in dealing with the whole of this complicated question the main object to be kept in view was the re-assurance of the Dutch population.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said, he was much obliged to his noble Friend for giving him the opportunity of saying a few words on the subject. He was not surprised that his noble Friend approved the passage in the Speech from the Throne referring to the Confederation of the South African Colonies, because it was his noble Friend himself who had originated the scheme of that Confederation. It was one, too, which, on the whole, had been approved by both Parties in Parliament when the Act for the purpose was passed, and he knew of nothing which had occurred since to make them turn back. He must repeat, however, that when his noble Friend originated that policy he thought he was rather premature in doing so, and something might be said against the way in which it had been introduced in South Africa; but nothing could be more unfortunate now than not to give it a fair chance. There were many difficulties in the way of bringing that policy into operation. It was a matter requiring much attention and consideration, and the display of much patience. At the present time he was not without hope that progress would be made with the question, for Resolutions proposing a Conference of all the States were about to be introduced into the Cape Parliament. He thought it not improbable that those Resolutions 301 would be carried; in which case there was considerable hope that they would then at least be able to see what the views of the different Colonies were; and if it should be found that these efforts were likely to lead to an agreement, he thought there would be found the elements of a settlement of many of the difficult and complicated questions with which they had to deal in South Africa. His noble Friend did not dissent from the proposition that the whole question of the South African Colonies was one of great difficulty and complexity, and for himself he could not say that since the time when he before held the Seals of the Colonial Office its difficulties had diminished. The annexation of the Transvaal had brought about its own difficulty; and with regard to that, he had always endeavoured to do full justice to his noble Friend (the Earl of Carnarvon), who had thought it his duty to adopt that measure; but he thought it must be evident that at the time it was decided upon his noble Friend must have thought the Dutch settlers were in favour of the annexation. Those assurances had, however, proved misleading. It was easy to be wise after the event; but he must express his opinion that as matters now appeared it would have been better if we had not annexed the Transvaal. He did not think the Dutch settlers could have changed so much since Sir Theophilus Shepstone was among them when they were said to be favourable to annexation, because it was clear that the great majority of them were now against it; but the question was not now whether we should annex the Transvaal. He was, as he had said, inclined to think it would have been better if we had not annexed it; but assurances having been given to the Native population that they would be under the British Crown, and the communication having been made to the Dutch settlers that there was no intention to abandon the annexation, it would not be desirable now to recede. There was a still stronger reason than that for not receding. It was impossible to say what calamities such a step as receding might not cause. We had., at the cost of much blood and treasure, restored peace, and the effect of our now reversing our policy would be to leave the Province in a state of anarchy, and possibly to cause an internecine war. For such 302 a risk he could not make himself responsible. The number of the Natives in the Transvaal was estimated at about 800,000, and that of the Whites at less than 50,000. Difficulties with the Zulus and the Frontier Tribes would again arise; and looking, as they must, to South Africa as a whole, the Government, after a careful consideration of the question, came to the conclusion that we could not relinquish the Transvaal. Nothing could be more unfortunate than uncertainty in respect of such a matter. We must pursue a steady course, and he hoped that those who took an interest in this question would remember that nowhere were patience and forbearance more necessary than in respect of South Africa. Complaints, in some cases, might be made of the Whites with reason. They might make mistakes; but, having regard to their small number, and bearing in mind that they were on the spot, we must allow them considerable liberty of action. His noble Friend had referred to the question of disarmament. When some time ago he asked the late Under Secretary of State for the Colonies under what authority that was ordered, he was informed that it was not ordered by the High Commissioner, but under the authority of the Peace Preservation Act passed under the responsibility of the Cape Ministry. When he assumed Office he considered whether he could offer advice on the subject, especially as to whether this was an opportune time for the disarmament; but he found that the Proclamation for it had already been issued two or three weeks before, and that the process of disarmament was already going on quietly. Therefore, whatever advice he might have tendered, if he could have done so before the measure was actually taken, it would be seen that it would have been very unwise to have interfered with what had already been done by the Cape Ministry on their own responsibility. He had thought it his duty, however, to remind the Cape Ministry that it was upon their responsibility alone that the measure had been adopted. He concurred with his noble Friend as to the desirability of being on friendly relations with the Orange Free State, the President of which had shown himself to be very friendly towards us. It would be the policy of the Government to hold the balance fairly and im- 303 partially between the races, and while protecting the Native populations to remember that the White Colonists had also claims on our consideration. Whatever might have been the causes of the late wars, the White Colonists had shown themselves ready to vigorously do its part in protecting their own territory. The object which the Government must keep in view was to put the Colony in such a condition that it might, except in cases of extreme emergency, deal with its own affairs. He hoped that the scheme of Confederation already contemplated might succeed, and that he or his successor might see the whole of the South African Colonies, if not the Orange Free State, included in one Dominion.