SIR CHARLES W.DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, in accordance with the notice I gave earlier in the day, whether the Government have received any information with regard to the somewhat alarming telegrams from Newfoundland, which appear in the newspapers this morning? They point to a state of facts which are known to some Members of this House, but there is some reason to hope they may be exaggerated in their tone. The House, I am sure, would be glad to hear that.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)The Colonial Authorities in Newfoundland have levied Customs Duties on certain stores and provisions imported from Halifax on a British vessel for the masters of two French vessels engaged in the Fishery on the Treaty shore, and for a lobster factory on that shore. The French Admiral wrote to the British senior naval officer demanding the release of the goods detained on account of nonpayment of duty, and the refund of the duty paid under protest, and was referred to the Colonial Government. Accordingly, on his arrival at St. Johns, he repeated his demand to the Colonial Government, and on being met with a refusal, entered a formal protest against the Governor, and immediately left for St. Pierre. Her Majesty's Government have not as yet received any communication from the French Government in reference to this incident.