§ MR. DU CROSI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken in response to the representations of the Colonial Premiers as to the appointment of consuls and vice-consuls in the important towns of New Zealand and other British Colonies; and whether he will furnish a list of all such appointments made during the past eighteen months.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL,) DundeeMy hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. As I stated in answer to a Question put to me by the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth yesterday, four trade Commissioners have been appointed in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, respectively. We have also appointed a number of local trade correspondents at various places in Canada and in Newfoundland during the period referred to, in accordance with the system which had been previously adopted in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. I will have a complete list of the names of the present trade Commissioners and correspondents in the Dominions and self-governing Colonies printed in the Votes.
§ MR. DU CROSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the previous system was absolutely condemned at the last Conference? Are the suggestions of the Colonial Premiers to be utterly ignored?
§ MR. CHURCHILLWe have followed the course which has been adopted for a long time, and which until now has not been challenged.