§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any proposal ever submitted to or discussed with any of the Colonies on the subject of colonization has been based on the principle of the funds being provided by the public here, by subscription to a public marketable stock, to be issued upon the security of the lands settled on, and guaranteed as to the interest by the co-operation of the Imperial and Colonial Governments, the fatter undertaking and guaranteeing the administration of the capital and the collection of the interest from the settlers and the Imperial Government lending its guarantee, by way of endorsement of the Colonial security, to enable the money to be raised at the lowest possible cost; and, if not, whether there is any reason why an inquiry should not be addressed to the several Colonies, to ascertain their views upon such a plan, or, in the alternative, for their suggestions of any other plan, in order that the same may be submitted to the opinion of this House next Session?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The subject of colonization on the principles sot out in the Question of my hon. Friend has not been discussed with the Colonial Governments. There seems no reason why the attention of Colonial Governments should not be directed to this question, and why they should not be requested to state their views thereon, and Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to take the necessary steps.