MR. ALEXANDER M'AETHURasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, having regard to the injurious effects of the cheap importation of spirits, and especially of Mauritius rum, into Madagascar, Her Majesty's Government has had under consideration the expediency of consenting to a revision of the duties of those commodities by the Home authorities; and, whether any, and, if so, what steps, with the above object in view, have been taken by Her Majesty's consent in Madagascar?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, in the opinion of Lord Salisbury no object would be gained by altering the duties on the commodity, and that it was manufactured in small quantities in Madagascar itself.