ADDRESS FOR PAPERS. (Hansard, 1 May 1885)

LORD HARRIS,
in asking Her Majesty's Government, Whether they are in a position to give the House any information as to the course affairs are taking with regard to the settlement of difficulties in Stellaland? said, that he had no idea of raising a debate, as there was not sufficient information to enable him to do so; but he thought it right to move for Papers. He wished to know what progress had been made in discovering the murderers of Mr. Beth ell and Mr. Walker; secondly, whether 1280 Montsioa's location had been secured to him; and, thirdly, whether Sir Charles Warren's action was tending to secure the trade route in Central Africa; and, if it was, whether that course was to be considered as tending to any scheme of annexation? Gratitude was owing to Mr. Rhodes for the arrangements he had been able to effect, especially after the somewhat precipitous course of Mr. Mackenzie. He believed Mr. Rhodes had brought about a better feeling throughout Stellaland. A few weeks ago it was stated that Mr. Rhodes had suddenly left Stellaland shortly after the arrival of Sir Charles Warren. He hoped that did not indicate any divergence of opinion between Mr. Rhodes and Sir Charles Warren. He desired, lastly, to know whether the Imperial Exchequer was responsible for the sums advanced by Mr. Rhodes for the Government of Stellaland; and, if that were so, whether the Home Government would also be responsible for the debt incurred in Stellaland? He would conclude by moving for Papers.

§ THE EARL OF DERBY
quite agreed with the noble Lord that the information was not sufficient to justify him in raising a debate, and, indeed, even that in his own possession was not sufficient for that purpose. The unfortunate deficiency of Papers arose from causes over which he had no control. The cable had been broken, and no telegram had reached the Colonial Office of a later date than the 21st of March. The interruption still continued as regarded telegraphic communication; but a series of despatches up to the date of April 8 had reached him within the last two hours. They were very voluminous, and he had not had time to look into them. The noble Lord's inquiry for Papers was perfectly justifiable; but it would be more convenient if the noble Lord would withdraw his Motion. He should be ready to present the Papers before Whitsuntide, so that there would be ample time for a discussion upon them. With regard to what had passed, he could answer some of the noble Lord's Questions. He could, however, give no answer regarding the arrest and punishment of the men against whom 1281 charges of murder had been brought; but with respect to the securing of Montsioa's rights, he knew that was a primary object with Sir Hercules Robinson and Sir Charles Warren, and he had no doubt that whatever Montsioa could fairly claim he would obtain with their assistance. As to the trade route and the security of the line of communication, those were points of which the Government had never lost sight; and, in the new Convention with the Transvaal Government which was come to about 15 months ago, special care was taken to carry the boundary so as not to intercept the line of communication between the Cape and the independent districts North of the Cape. Sir Charles Warren had occupied Bechuanaland with a military force, and had entirely restored order. A Protectorate had been declared, including a large extent of territory to the North, and no armed opposition had been met with; but the question of what was to be done in the future for the country had not yet come before him. It was, in his view, desirable that it should be ultimately absorbed in the Cape Colony, rather than that it should be permanently maintained as a separate State. At the same time, he was not in a position to announce that any immediate annexation would take place. There were various parties to consider, and the Imperial Government could not force territory on the Cape Colony against its will. He need not point out to their Lordships the great inconvenience which would arise if they were required to station a considerable military force in that country. He trusted that before long an organized police would be sufficient for the requirements of the case. He quite agreed with the noble Lord that the affairs of Bechuanaland were a very proper subject for discussion in that House; but it was impossible to discuss them without further information than they now possessed.

THE EARL OF CARNARVON
trusted that the Papers which were promised would contain all that information which it was so desirable their Lordships should have upon the subject. It was a serious matter that the cable should be broken at this time; and he would be glad to know whether it would be repaired within a short period of time? His noble Friend (Lord Harris) had referred to another point which the 1282 noble Earl (the Earl of Derby) had not alluded to—the difference of opinion that unfortunately was stated to exist between Sir Charles Warren and the High Commissioner at the Cape. He regretted extremely that there should be any difficulty whatever between two high officers of such character and position, who were discharging functions of so delicate, not to say critical, a nature. He hoped that the Papers would show what the differences were, and how all matters stood.