§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a statement in a reported speech of Sir G, Dibbs, Prime Minister of New South Wales, is correct —namely, that no new Governor is to be appointed without the previous sanction of the Colonial Ministry; whether this has hitherto been the practice in the appointment of Colonial Governors; and whether the case of New South Wales is exceptional, or is the same practice to be extended to all the self-governing Colonies? I may say I do not ask this question in any spirit of hostility.
§ MR. BUXTONI feel sure there must be some misapprehension in regard to the matter, as the statement in the telegram referred to is not correct. No change has been made, or is contemplated, in the practice (which will be found detailed in Parliamentary Paper C 5,828) pursued by former Govern- 1578 ments in regard to the appointment of Colonial Governors. At the same time, the Secretary of State will always endeavour to secure that the Governor and the Government of the Colony should be informed, as a matter of courtesy, of the selection approved by the Queen before any announcement on the subject is made in the Press.