§ MR. BOURKEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any expression of opinion has been received from the Australian Colonies with respect to the proposed arrangement with M. Lesseps?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYSir, the Premier of Queensland, who, with all his virtues, does not seem from our previous experience to have the virtue of knowing how to wait, has telegraphed to the Agent General to the effect that great dissatisfaction is felt at the Government proposal in the matter of the Suez Canal. No other Colony has expressed any opinion in the matter.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI wish to ask how long the hon. Gentleman considers that the Premier of Queensland should have waited before he telegraphed?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYHe should have waited until he received some information as to the details and bearing of the scheme.
§ MR. J. LOWTHERHas any information as to the details of the scheme been sent to Her Majesty's Colonies?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYNo, Sir; not officially.