§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYmoved that an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty for Despatch from the Secretary for the Colonies to the Governor of the Cape on the subject of Responsible Government; the speech of the Governor to the Colonial Legislature touching upon the same subject; and the minute of the officers of the Executive thereon. The noble Marquess said, he understood that a strong protest was made by the Ministers of the Governor against the proposal, and that it was only carried in the Lower Chamber by a majority of 5, most of whom voted against their election pledges. In the Legislative Council it was also strongly opposed. Therefore, before the noble Earl went further, it would be well to have the Papers and Correspondence laid upon the Table, in order to enlighten Parliament upon the question that interested the colonies very much.
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Moved that an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty for, Despatch from the Secretary for the Colonies to the Governor of the Cape on the subject of Responsible Government; the speech of the Governor to the Colonial Legislature touching upon the same subject; and the minute of the officers of the Executive thereon.—(The Marquess of Salisbury.)
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, the Papers moved for would not give a sufficiently full and accurate explanation of the proceedings, and if the noble Marquess consented not to press his Motion he would undertake to present Papers on the subject.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYsaid, he would withdraw his Motion, and expressed a hope that, in the meantime, the production of the necessary documents would not be anticipated by a Royal Warrant.
§ Motion (by leave of the House) withdrawn.
§ House adjourned at half-past Six o'clock, 'till To-morrow, a quarter before Five o'clock.