§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the action of the Province of British Columbia involuntarily undertaking to contribute one-ninth of the cost of constructing the Pacific cable, thereby reducing the contribution originally proposed to be borne by the Imperial Treasury to a comparatively small amount, Her Majesty's Government will re-consider the scheme formulated in his letter of April 28th, and endeavour to bring it into harmony with the wishes of the Canadian and Australasian Governments.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.We have not yet received the replies of the Colonial Governments; but if any representations are made to us on their behalf in reference to 156 the offer of Her Majesty's Government they will be carefully considered.