§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Secretary of State has approved the course taken by the Governor of Malta, in condoning the conduct of the Superintendent of Police, who admits that he made a payment out of the Government Secret Service Fund for the purpose of silencing, by a bribe, a newspaper which opposed the Government and supported the Opposition candidates at the elections to the Council of Government in February last?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)In answering the hon. Member I wish, in the first place, to remove a misconception to which the words of his Question might give rise. This was not a case of stopping opposition to the Government, there being no official candidates at the elections. There were two Parties contesting the unofficial seats, one of whom was called the "National Party," and the newspaper was attacking the candidates of this Party. Captain Casolani, fearing, as he says, a public disturbance, took the most improper course described in the Question; but it was not to silence opposition to the Government, 570 who were absolutely neutral. On the matter becoming known, an inquiry was held, and explanations were called for from Captain Casolani, who had previously been obliged, from ill-health, to leave Malta. There is no dispute as to the facts, which Captain Casolani has admitted. The Governor did not condone Captain Casolani's conduct, but severely censured him, and ordered him to repay the £10. Looking to his good service for many years, and especially to the work he did during the recent epidemic of cholera, the Governor submitted that further punishment was not necessary. The Secretary of State has, under the circumstances, been disposed to think that Sir Lintorn Simmons's decision may be confirmed; but, having received a communication on the subject from Mr. Savona, one of the defeated candidates, he is again considering the question, and will await further explanations from the Governor before deciding whether Captain Casolani's conduct requires more severe notice than it has received.