HC Deb 27 May 1879 vol 246 cc1354-5
SIR JULIAN GOLDSMID

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What arrangements have been made for the government of the island of Cyprus, now that Sir Garnet Wolseley has been appointed to a command in South Africa?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

, in reply, said, that Colonel Greaves was now Acting Governor of Cyprus, and he would continue to be so for the present.

Sib JULIAN GOLDSMID

As locum tenens or as successor to Sir Garnet Wolseley?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

replied, that when Sir Garnet Wolseley came home it had been found necessary to appoint some one to conduct the administration of the affairs of the Island in his stead, and that Colonel Greaves had been appointed with that object and remained in that position.

Afterwards—

SIR JULIAN GOLDSMID

said, the answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to the government of Cyprus was not clearly understood by several hon. Members, and he therefore wished to put a further Question on the subject. They were informed that Sir Garnet Wolseley had been appointed High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief in the Transvaal; and they wished to know whether, at the same time, he remained Governor of Cyprus, and whether Colonel Greaves was only his locum tenens?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I thought I had made my Answer clear. Sir Garnet Wolseley came home from Cyprus a short time ago for purposes of a Departmental character. Since he has been in this country an arrangement has been perfected by which he is to go out as Governor of the Trans- vaal and Natal. That arrangement has been quite recently made. The affairs of Cyprus were left under the administration of Colonel Greaves. They still remain under his administration; but no decision has been at present arrived at as to what will be done hereafter.

SIR JULIAN GOLDSMID

Is Sir Garnet Wolseley to be Governor of Cyprus as well as of the Transvaal and Natal?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I think the hon. Gentleman really must see what the state of the case is. I do not quite see what is the motive of his question. Sir Garnet Wolseley, being Governor and High Commissioner of Cyprus, came over here on leave for purposes of a Departmental character. Within the last two days, in fact, he has received an appointment to another post. The matter is one which, of course, has occupied a great deal of the attention of the Government. Colonel Greaves is left in charge of Cyprus; but what arrangements are to be made at Cyprus is a matter at present under the consideration of the Government. It is impossible for me to say more than that.

SIR JULIAN GOLDSMID

The right hon. Gentleman says he does not understand the motive of the Question. My motive is simply to know in what hands the government of Cyprus is going to be placed, and to know whether Colonel Greaves merely represents Sir Garnet Wolseley during his absence, and whether Sir Garnet Wolseley holds two appointments at the same time? It is not my purpose to find any fault with the Government, inasmuch as I cordially approve of their appointment of Sir Garnet Wolseley.