§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will favourably consider the petition addressed to him by members of the Legislative Council of Cyprus, praying for some relief from the taxation in that island which has! been imposed to meet the tribute assigned to the creditors of the Sublime Porte.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have not yet received the Petition to which the hon. Member refers from the High Commissioner, with his comments upon it. I must point out, however, that no taxation has been imposed for the purpose of meeting the tribute. On the contrary, since the British occupation there has been a substantial remission of taxation in the island, and the British tax-payer has every year had to contribute a considerable sum towards the revenue of the island.