§ MR. HUME wished to inquire of the Under Colonial Secretary, whether the restrictions of the liberty of the press, and the importation of books into the Ionian Islands, had been withdrawn; and whether the circulation of lists of individuals to be elected to the House of Representatives was still in use by the Governor?
§ MR. HAWES: There is a law still in force with regard to the exclusion of books, which gives the Governor, certainly, very considerable power. But, practically, it has no operation; because, in the year 1844, I think, Lord Seaton introduced a local ordinance, giving a general permission for the importation of books; and Lord Stanley fully concurred in that ordinance. With regard tot he liberty of the press, that has been fully and fairly conceded to the Ionians, in consequence of the representations made by the Lord High Commissioner. With regard to the last subject to which my hon. Friend has referred, the lists, it is quite true that it was part and parcel of the constitution that was framed when we took possession of those islands; but that point, and several others connected with the original constitution, I know are under the consideration of the Lord High Commissioner, and I have reason to believe will shortly be brought under the consideration of the noble Lord at the head of the Colonial Office.