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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

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Enclosure 4 in No. 209.

(Southern Rhodesia. No. 40/33.)

SIR,

High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg, December 9th, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Secretary of State has asked me to furnish him with a report in regard to a Convention signed in London on May 19th, 1900, for the preservation of wild animals, birds, and fish in Africa, in so far as that convention would affect the South African Colonies and Territories in the event of it being decided that they or any of them should adhere to the agreement.

2. It appears that before ratifying this Convention the Portuguese Govern- ment desire to be informed whether the provisions of the Convention have been extended to all the South African Possessions and Colonies contiguous to the zone defined in Article I.

3. If you will refer to Blue Book [Cd. 3189] (a copy of which is enclosed, and in which a copy of the Convention is printed) you will see that on July 21st, 1900, the Secretary of State made inquiry of the Governors of Cape Colony and Natal whether the Governments of those Colonies would be willing to adhere to the Con- vention, and that Sir A. Milner and Sir W. Hely-Hutchinson were both able to return to Mr. Chamberlain an affirmative answer.

4. As some considerable time has elapsed since the Convention was last before the Cape and Natal Governments it seemed proper that I should make sure that the views expressed by those Governments in 1900 were entertained by them to-day. I accordingly made the requisite inquiries and enclose copies of the replies which I have received. Representations have also been made to the Transvaal and Orange River Colony Governments on the subject, and I enclose a copy No reply has as yet of a minute from Transvaal Ministers regarding this matter. been received from the Orange River Colony.

Governor, Cape, No. 135; 124,07. Governor, Natai, No. 122; 235'07. No. 444: 49 07.

5. I should now be glad to learn what attitude the Southern Rhodesia Adminis- tration are prepared to adopt in this matter.

6. In bringing the subject to your notice, I desire to direct your particular attention to the provisions of Section 10 of Article II. of the Convention, respecting the imposition of export duties.

7. With reference to the stipulation contained in Cape Ministers' minute of October 31st, 1900, I would observe that the Secretary of State is not yet in a position to say what action the other signatory Powers propose to take in this regard.

23'9'07.

To Governor, Natal, Despatch No. 30/21; To Governor, Cape, Despatch No. 30,21;

23 9:07.

To Deputy Governor, Transvaal, Despatch

No. 30 21; 23/9,07.

8. In conclusion, I may mention that the Cape and Transvaal Governments have signified their concurrence in the suggestion made by the Government of Natal that the whole question should be discussed at any Conference which may assemble for the consideration of matters of inter-colonial interest. I append, for purposes of information and record, a copy of correspondence which has taken place with the three Governments named in regard to the pro- posal that this matter should be discussed at an Inter-Colonial Conference.

A copy of the despatch of November 30th from the Governor of Natal has also been communicated to the other Governments concerned.

Governor, Cape, Despatch No. 373;

16/10 07.

To Governors, Natal and Transvaal, Des-

patch No. 35/10; 18/11/07. Governor. Natal, Despatch No. 308:

30/11/07.

Sir William Milton, K.C.M.G.,

Administrator of Southern Rhodesia, Salisbury.

I have, &c.,

SELBORNE,

High Commissioner.

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adhering to the London Convention of 1900 for the preservation of wild animals, birds, and fish in Africa may be noted for discussion at the forthcoming Inter- Colonial Conference, and to inform you that your request has been communicated to the various Governments concerned.

His Excellency

Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G.,

&c., &c.,

&c.,

2104

Governor of Natal.

No. 210.

SOUTH AFRICA.

I have, &c.,

SELBORNE,

High Commissioner.

HIGH COMMISSIONER THE EARL OF SELBORNE to THE EARL OF ELGIN. (Received 18 January, 1908.)

(No. 1147.) MY LORD,

[Copy to Foreign Office, 28 January, 1908. L.F.]

High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg, December 30th, 1907. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 611, of November 27th,* relative to the ratification of the Convention for the Preservation of Wild Animals in South Africa, and to inform you that it has been decided by the Governments of the various South African Colonies that the matter shall be discussed at the Inter-Colonial Conference which it is proposed to hold at Pretoria early next year.

2. In this connection I would refer your Lordship to my despatch, No. 1062, of December 9th.†

4322

No. 211. JAMAICA.

I have, &c.,

SELBORNE,

High Commissioner.

GOVERNOR SIR SYDNEY OLIVIER to THE EARL OF ELGIN. (Received 7 February, 1908.)

(No. 20.)

MY LORD,

King's House, Jamaica, 20 January, 1903. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's circular despatch of the 26th February, 1907, inviting consideration of certain points sug- gested to you by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in connection with veterinary training and the appointment of trained veterinary Government surgeons in Crown Colonies and Protectorates.

2. As there were many more pressing matters to attend to and the expenditure on agriculture for the current year has been settled, the consideration of this matter was deferred. I have now consulted the members of the Privy Council and they agree with me in the view that such an appointment is not necessary in this Colony and that the expense of providing for it would not be justified.

Enclosure 5 in No. 209.

(No. 40/33.)

SIR,

High Commissioner's Office, Johannesburg,December 9, 1907.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 308, of November 30th, in which you ask that the question of the South African Colonies

I have, &c.,

SYDNEY OLIVIER,

Governor.

• No. 201.

† No. 209.

✰ No. 93.

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