§ LORD KNUTSFORDMy Lords, I desire to ask the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state to the House what is the actual position of affairs with regard to Swaziland and the Convention which was entered into—whether it has been ratified, and whether there is any negotiation going on with the Queen of Swaziland?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Marquess of RIPON)My Lords, the situation is this: As my noble Friend is aware, the Convention was concluded last year between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Transvaal in reference to the future of Swaziland. That Con- 1165 vention has not yet been ratified by the Volksraad of the Transvaal, because that Body has not met since the Convention was signed. Under that Convention, negotiations are at the present time going on with the Native Authorities in Swaziland with the view to the conclusion, if possible, of an organic Proclamation, establishing the future administration of the country.