HC Deb 19 July 1894 vol 27 cc366-7
MR. DIXON (Birmingham, Edgbaston)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the New Zealand Times(the organ of the Government) of 9th May, 1894, contains a leading article advocating the substitution of paper currency for gold and silver; whether the Legislature in that Colony has the power to pass an Act for that purpose; and whether it would be competent for the Crown to veto such an Act were it passed by the New Zealand Legislature?

MR. HOGAN

Before the Under Secretary replies, may I ask him whether he is aware that the New Zealand Government is no more responsible for the opinions expressed by the New Zealand Times than Lord Rosebery is responsible for the opinions of the London Times or the hon. Member for South Belfast for the sentiments of the Freeman's Journal; and also is he aware that at the best-informed sources of information in London nothing whatever is known of the design attributed to the New Zealand Government in the question?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

Before I reply to the question on the Paper I will answer the one put to me by the hon. Member for Mid-Tipperary by saying that I know nothing about the international arrangement between the Government and the Press of New Zealand to which he has called my attention. My hon. Friend the Member for Edgbaston has showed me the article referred to in his question. But I think he must not assume that because a particular measure is advocated in a newspaper stated to be an organ of the Colonial Government that any such measure will be necessarily adopted by the Colonial Government. As regards the two last questions, the Colony has the power to pass such an Act as that suggested in the question. The Queen has power, if she should be so advised, to disallow such an Act; and the Governor is required by his Instructions to reserve for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure any Bill affecting the currency of the Colony unless in a case of urgent necessity.