§ MR. BRODIE HOARE (Hampstead)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of New Zealand have seized the New Zealand Midland Railway, the property of an English company, although the matters in dispute between the Government and the company are actually before arbitrators appointed in accordance with the company's contract; and whether the Government will use their good offices with the Government of the colony to secure for the company a fair hearing of their case?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONHer Majesty's Government have received no communication from the colony on this subject, and are not at present, therefore, in a position to take any action in the matter.
§ MR. BRODIE HOAREWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to obtain some information? This is a matter of very serious importance.
§ MR. BUXTONIf the company desired to make a complaint in reference to a matter like this, they would do so either through the governor or direct. We cannot act until we get some complaint.