§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON () CanterburyI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the cause of the delay in coming to a decision as to the amount of the contribution to be paid for military expendi- 766 ture by the Straits Settlements; and whether he is aware that grave dissatisfaction exists there in consequence of the present, impost, and that a number of urgent public works of importance, education, and postal arrangements, have been restricted in consequence of the present rate of taxation to meet the military contribution?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarThe question affects throe different Departments, and is one of considerable complexity; at the same time, I regret the delay that has taken place in coining to a decision; and I hope that the decision will not be now much longer delayed.