§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the general Act of the Anti-Slavery Conference has been actually signed by all the Powers represented at the Conference with the exception of Turkey and Holland; whether Turkey assents to the Act and will sign the agreement; whether it is true that Holland refuses to sign, and, if so, on what grounds; and whether her refusal will prevent the ratification of the general Act?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThe general Act has been signed by all the Powers except Turkey and Holland. The Turkish Plenipotentiary has assented to the Act, and will sign as soon as the necessary authority is received from Constantinople. The Dutch Plenipotentiary assented to the general Act, but not to the declaration attached to it authorising the levy of Import Duties in the conventional basin of the Congo. He did not, therefore, sign. The time allowed for the exchange of ratifications is 12 months. It may be hoped that before that time has expired the assent of Holland will have been obtained.