§ MR. ALDENTo ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the speech made on the 29th January, by Colonel W. T. F. Davies, at the annual dinner of the Imperial Light Horse, in which speech the Prime Minister and his colleagues were spoken of in terms of opprobrium; whether Lord Selborne was present on that occasion; and whether he made any remonstrance at the use of such Ianguage.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The; Secretary of State has noticed the report of the speech to which the hon. Member refers. It is very natural that persons of excitable character who apprehend that their monetary interests may be prejudicially affected by the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to Chinese labour should express themselves strongly, particularly after dinner. The Secretary of State does not propose to attach undue importance to such I criticism; though it be regretted that Lord Selborne should have been subjected 1016 to the annoyance of hearing it offered in his presence.