HC Deb 03 March 1899 vol 67 cc1219-20
MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can lay upon the Table any correspondence with the United States on the subject of the tariff between the United States and the Hawaiian Islands, and the maintenance of the rights of British trade in those islands?

MR. BRODRICK

NO correspondence has passed with the Government of the United States in regard to the tariff between the United States and Hawaii, nor, so far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, have any changes been yet introduced into the Hawaiian Tariff; but a Bill has been introduced into the United States Legislature by which it is provided that "Hawaii shall comprise a Customs District of the United States." Representations have been addressed by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Washington to the United States Government calling their attention to the effects on British trade which would be produced by the application of the United States Navigation Laws to Hawaii and other newly acquired possessions of the United States, but it would be premature to present papers on the subject.