§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, he would then proceed to the Colonial Votes. He moved that the sum of 2,940l. be granted to defray the charges of the Bahama islands.
§ Mr. George Robinsonhoped the promises which had been given, relating to a Colonial Budget, would be fulfilled, and that the House might expect such a document to be placed before them. He wished to know when it was likely to be laid on the Table.
§ Lord Howicksaid, the preparation of such a document would require considerable time.
Colonel Daviessaid, the colonies of other countries yielded a surplus revenue, but our colonies were a source of expense. The whole subject ought to be investigated by a Committee of the House. The expenditure was so mixed and complicated that no other remedy would be effectual for reducing the expenses.
Mr. Robert Gordonthought the Crown Colonies were the most profuse. In Trinidad, 57,000l. had been raised, which would be spent by the Governor, without any control. This had been raised by severe exactions; and under the circumstances which had since occurred, ought to be remitted by a reduction of taxation. Instead of that, however, he heard it was to be applied to building a Government House.
§ Mr. George Robinsonsaid, they ought to be acquainted with the amount of revenue raised in the colonies, before they were called upon to make good deficiencies. If, from the distance of the colonies, such an account could not be made up to the close of the preceding year, they ought to have it to the latest possible period.
§ Lord Howicksaid, he had been no party to a promise for a colonial budget, but he agreed in the opinion that the House ought to have the means of checking the colonial expenditure. At Trinidad, which had been alluded to, he trusted the expenses next year would be considerably reduced. There was a balance in the treasury of that island, but it did not possess a single office for the transaction of public business. Government was paying an exorbitant rent for house-room, and it 281 was considered the best economy to ay out the money in building the necessary offices.
§ Mr. George Robinsonthen must understand, that all the promises relating to a colonial budget were personal, and did not belong to the offices of those who made them.
§ Mr. Spring Ricehad not heard of the promise until a few nights since, and he had then said, such an account should be furnished next year. Reductions, however, had been made; the vote for Nova Scotia was reduced nearly 4,000l. The salaries of various functionaries had been omitted, and the Treasury and Colonial Office were in constant communication, consulting on all possible reductions.
§ Mr. George Robinsonsaid, that official promises ought to be recorded in office, and acted upon by the successors of those who made them.
§ Lord Althorphad never heard, he believed, any thing of such promise, and did not even understand the phrase Colonial Budget.
Mr. Warburtonsaid, there had certainly been an understanding that the receipt and expenditure of each colony should be laid before them.
Mr. Wilkssaid, such a measure was necessary, and whether a promise had been made or not, it ought to be brought forward.
Mr. Robert Gordonsaid, agents for colonies were useless, and yet they received salaries of from 200 to 400l. a year. If any colony came into collision with the Government, they employed and paid their own agent.
§ Lord Howicksaid, that several of these offices had been abolished, such as those of the agents for Berbice and Grenada. The agents for New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, must, however, be kept up, as they had important duties to do relating to convicts.
§ Vote agreed to.