HC Deb 19 November 1888 vol 330 cc1518-9
MR. HOZIER (Lanarkshire, S.)

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he had seen a letter in The Times of to-day on the subject of Sir Henry Blake's appointment to the Governorship of Queensland, in which it was stated that on a recent occasion "The whole business" of the colony Was kept in suspense. The cable with England was set to work, and day after day the Queensland Parliament met, expecting to hear from England. 'The Secretary of State and the Under Secretary are out of town,' wired the Agent General; And whether there was any foundation for the suggestion?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)

This statement is utterly incorrect. The first heard of the matter was a telegram from Sir Anthony Musgrave of September 4, which mentioned that de- spatches on the subject had been sent the week before. The Secretary of State replied by telegram on the 5th that he awaited the despatches. The same day the Agent General sent to the Colonial Office copies of telegrams from his Government. The letter was received on the 6th of September. On the 7th of September the Secretary of State telegraphed to Sir Anthony Musgrave as follows:— I should have preferred to wait arrival of despatches; but under the circumstances, and assuming that no extra Colonial interests are involved in case, my opinion is that you should act on advice of your Ministers.