MR. HARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any changes have been made in the Customs tariff of the Hawaiian Islands since they have become annexed to the United States; and whether such changes are to the disadvantage of the British trader?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. ST. JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordSo far as Her Majesty's Government are aware no changes have as yet been introduced in the Customs Tariff of the Hawaiian Islands, but a Bill is at present before the United States Congress "to provide a Government for the territory of Hawaii." Section 89 of this Bill provides "that the territory of Hawaii shall comprise a Customs District of the United States." A report on the import trade of Hawaii for the year 1897 is already in the press and will shortly be in the hands of Members, which deals with the effect of the preferential treatment in regard to Customs duties which has for years past been extended to imports from the United States on the trade of other countries.