§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, during the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught to Matabeleland, the tribes expressed a desire that they should be allowed to appoint Lohengula's youthful grandson as their chief; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to notify the Matabele that there is no objection to this request?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLHis Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught, as High Commissioner for South Africa, made the following statement in the course of replying to an address presented to him by the sons and relatives of Lobengula and certain headmen and councillors during his visit to Rhodesia in 1921
I hear also that some of you have a wish that a son of your King should dwell among you and voice your grievances to His Honour the Administrator of this Territory. It is well that people should revere the memory of their past rulers. But I must tell you, as though I were a father speaking to his children, that you cannot go back; that you must go forward. This you can only do under the rule of the Government under which you live, and that rule cannot be a divided one. While the family of your late King will be taken care of, I must tell you quite plainly that this wish of yours cannot be granted, and I wish the Kumalo family, some of whom I am glad to see here to-day, to realise this. You must accept what I say as a final utterance.