§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin Co., S.)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the colonists of Dominica recently voted for annexation 657 to the United States of America; and, if so, for what reasons; whether the Home Government offered loans to the colonists of Demerara, within the last three years, to carry on their plantations; what was the rate of interest on those loans, and when were they to be repaid; whether the offer of the Home Government was accepted by the colonists; and, if not, for what reasons; whether it is true that all, or nearly all, the lucrative Government posts in the West Indian Colonies are filled by others than colonists; whether the colonists are satisfied with this arrangement; and, if it is a fact that the colonists have to teach many of the officials how to perform their work, besides providing their salaries by taxation?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)In answer to the first Question of the hon. Member, I have to say that a Resolution in favour of annexation to the United States was proposed in the Legislative Assembly of Dominica in 1884, but was rejected. To the second, third, and fourth Questions the answer is in the negative. To the fifth and sixth Questions I may say that it is necessary to fill some of the higher offices in these Colonies by the appointment of persons from the United Kingdom or from other Colonies; but many lucrative offices are held by persons belonging to the Colony, and there is no reason to believe that any general dissatisfaction exists on the subject.