Lords Sitting of 18 April 1893

Preamble
Several Lords—Took the Oath.
SAT FIRST.
The Duke of Sutherland—after the death of his father.
SWAZILAND.

  QUESTION.—OBSERVATIONS.
  THE EARL OF DUNKAYENwished to ask the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for the Colonies a question of which he had given him private notice— namely, whether it was the ease that Sir Henry Loch, the High Commissioner of Cape Colony, or either of his colleagues, was that day to meet Mr. Krüger to discuss the questions relating to the affairs of Swaziland and Bechuanaland? and he further wished to ask the noble Marquess as to the position and status of Mr. Krüger. Accounts had appeared in the newspapers which seemed to throw some doubt on the position really occupied by Mr. Krüger. It had been stated that the Volksraad was making a scrutiny into the Presidential election which had lately taken place in the Transvaal, and it was, of course, important to know with whom our Commissioner was treating. He therefore wished to ask the noble Marquess whether Her Majesty's Government recognised Mr. Krüger as President of the Transvaal, and whether it was with him as President of the Transvaal that they were treating?
  *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Marquess of RIPON): My Lords, I have every reason to believe that Mr. Krüger has been elected President of the South African Republic. The scrutiny has, I believe, been concluded, and he has been declared duly elected President. Sir Henry Loch will, I understand, meet him to-day in Colesberg, of course, in his capacity, only, as President of the Republic. If Mr. Krüger has not been so elected, Sir Henry Loch will not enter into communications with him upon the subject on which he is to meet him The High Commissioner will meet him
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  at Colesberg in accordance with the undertaking given by the late Government to receive any communications which the Government of the South African Republic may have to make to Her Majesty's Government for their consideration with respect to the Swaziland Convention of 1890.

  ARMY ANNUAL BILL.
  Brought from the Commons; read la; to be printed. (No. 55.)
  LORD SANDHURST: My Lords, as it is necessary that the Army Annual Bill should become law before the end of the month, I beg to give notice that I shall move the Second Reading on Thursday, and the Committee stage on Friday, next.

  ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROVISIONAL ORDERS CONFIRMATION (CHISWICK, &c.) BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill to confirm certain Provisional Orders made by the Education Department under the Elementary Education Act, 1870, to enable the school boards for Chiswick, Haworth, and West Ham, to put in force the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1815, and the Acts amending the same—Was presented by the Lord President (E. Kimberley); read 1a; and to be printed. (No. 53.)
  SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS (IRELAND) BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill to amend the law relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors in Ireland on Saturday and Sunday, and for other purposes connected therewith—Was presented by the Lord O'Neill; read 1a; to be printed; and to be read 2a on Tuesday the 2nd of May next. (No. 54.)
  LOCAL AUTHORITIES LOANS (SCOTLAND) ACT (1891) AMENDMENT BILL
  Read la, and to be printed. (No. 57.)
  MERCHANT SHIPPING (FISHING BOATS) ACTS (1883 AND 1887) AMENDMENT BILL.
  Read 1a, and to be printed. (No. 58.)
  REGIMENTAL DEBTS (CONSOLIDATION) BILL.
  Read 1a, and to be printed. (No. 59.)
  SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE (BORROWING POWERS) BILL.
  Read la; to be printed; and referred to the Examiners. (No. 60.)

  LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROVISIONAL ORDERS (No. 2) BILL.
  Read la; to be printed; and referred to the Examiners. (No. 61.)
  House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Five o'clock, to Thursday next, a quarter past Four o'clock.