THE SWAZI CHIEFS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5245, 11 April 1908, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE SWAZI CHIEFS.

THEY SAW THE KING. THE " VOICE OF COMMAND.” The five from Swaziland, who represent 84,000 of their countrymen, realised the cherished ambition of their lives on 25th November. They saw tho “ Great White King” at Buckingham Palace, and he ” spoke graciously” to them. They wore immaculate European attire for this great occasion, and drove to Buckingham Palace from the house they occupy in Kensington in two open landaus, accompanied by the Hon. 0. Murray, of the Colonial Cflice, and Mr A. G. Marwick, the Assistant-Commissioner of Swaziland. Mr Arthur J. Higgett, of Messrs. Whiteley Limited, supervised the details of the Swazis's visit.

His Majesty, who wore a field-mar-shal’s uniform, and who had with him Lord Elgin, Sir Francis Hopwood, and members of the royal household, listened to an address presented in the Swazi language by Prince Malungo, the chief of the party. Mr Marwick acted as interpreter, and afterwards the King, in replying, directed the chiefs to lay before the Colonial Office the petition they have brought with them to England. This sets forth several grievances. , One concerns the noncancellation 1 of certain concessions granted long ago by the late King of the Swazis to the Boer Government, and the other is relative to the financial control of Swaziland.

A picturesque account of the royal visit, signed by himself, was obtained by the ” Daily Mail” from Prince Malunga. Ho is a broadshouldered young man, with a light copper-colored skin, laughing eyes, and white teeth, lie wears European costume -with every indication of ease. The Prince writes

" ‘Bayete’ (the Swazi royal salute) •was tho word wo uttered when the folding doors leading from a great white and gold waiting-room were thrown open. Bowing low, we advanced slowly towards the end of a large high-roofed chamber. " Before us on a low dais sat the Great King. He wore a splendid uniform. Jewelled decorations sparkled upon his breast. Around him stood many stately men. All were in fine garments of scarlet and gold. Behind him, from tho ceiling, hung long cloths c? beautiful colors. THE KING'S REPLY. “We were not nervous. We were but deeply awed. A courtly nobloman (Lord Elgin) spoke to the King. We stood silently and reverently before him. Then he looked towards us encouragingly. I handed to Mr Marwick my address. It was written in our Swazi tongue. “ The King nodded his head when our interpreter translated it into the language of tho English : ” ‘ I, on behalf of the deputation have the pleasure of having this opportunity of seeing your Majesty, and conveying to you the Queen Regent's greetings and tho loyalty of the Swazi nation, and also to lay our petition at your Majesty’s feet for redress.’

“ Then the Great King spoke in the deep, clear voice of command. Casting his eyes from one to the other of us, ho replied in these words. They stirred our hearts by their graciousness and dignity : “ ‘ I am glad to receive your homage and devotion on behalf of the Queen Regent, the paramount chief, and the whole tribe. I shall continue to afford you my protection, and I have instructed my High Commissioner in South Africa to listen to any representations you may have to make to him, but I expect that you will in turn obey my oflicials in South Africa and act in harmony with their instructions and desires. With regard to your petition or address, that you will send to my Secretary of State for the Colonies in the usual way, and I shall be very pleased to receive it through him.’

‘‘ Then, as though glad that the Official business was done with, the King spoke to me, just as man to man. ‘ Are you enjoying your visit ?’ he asked. I replied in a few words that I was—that we had seen sights we should remember always, lie asked where we had been in the great city. Receiving my reply with another gracious nod of the head, ho wished us well upon our long journey back to our country. Bowing low, we stepped backwards to the tall doors. They closed behind us slowly.

“ Of this Great King we had heai much before coming into his pr scncc. In the flesh ho is as noble man ns we have been told. He wi kind to us, but kingly and commas mg. We shall tell our countrymc of his royal grace and courtesy.

“ Even amid his tall and splendid courtiers ho was a veritable king. Had I not been told, I should have guessed that he was the ruler wo know as * the Great White King.’ There was a flash in his eye, a proud turn of the head, such as wo look for in those of royal blood.”