§ MR. SYDNEY GEDGE (Stockport)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received the petition of Mr. J. A. Payne, the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Lagos, and 48 other Native officials in the public service of that Colony, which was presented to the Governor of Lagos on the 13th November, 1888, and a copy of the Governor's reply, and, also, a memorial, signed by the same Native officials, presented to the Governor on the 12th of March last, with a request that it might be forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and, whether he has taken, or proposes to take any, and what, action in the matter?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSThe papers referred to by my hon. Friend have been received. The Secretary of State has written to the Governors of the 1864 West African Colonies suggesting rules with regard to leave of absence, which will probably meet the wishes of the petitioners on the point. With regard to the pay and prospects of native officials, I may say that, when vacancies occur, the Secretary of State is always glad to approve of the promotion of a native, and the claims of any natives who may be qualified to fill the higher posts in the service are always carefully considered.