§ MR. DILLON (for Mr. SWIFT MACNEILL,) Donegal, S.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the circumstance that the 847 Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of New Zealand, on the occasion of his recent visit, as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen, to Dunedin, consented to receive an address from the Orange body of that city, and in his reply referred to his life-long knowledge of the institution and his pleasure in the knowledge that the Orangemen had carried their old traditions to New Zealand; whether it is in accordance with the practice of the Colonial Service for the representative of the Throne to thus identify himself with a political party; and whether he will take any steps to prevent such action in future?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I have received no information on the subject, and in the absence of, information I am not in a position to express any opinion as to the Governor's action.
§ MR. DILLONI will repeat the Question this day week.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESThat will be of no use. I am not likely to receive any information by that time, unless the honourable Member will furnish me with some.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right honourable Gentleman inquire by telegraph whether the newspaper report is correct?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESNo, Sir. I do not think it of sufficient importance.
§ MR. DILLONI shall raise the Question on the Colonial Vote, for it appears to me to be a matter of such importance—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. REDMOND (Clare, E.)Might I ask the Secretary for the Colonies whether, in view of the great dissatisfaction caused to large numbers of the inhabitants of New Zealand by this action of the Governor, he will inquire whether the Earl of Ranfurly received the sanction of the New Zealand Government to make the statement he did?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That Question has been already answered.