§ Sir JOHN KENNAWAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will cause it to be clearly understood in West Africa that they have no wish to interfere with the free expression of opinion by native chiefs 704 in favour of or against the liquor traffic; and that it is contrary to their wish that any of these should suffer by withdrawal of allowance or otherwise for any lawful action he may take on the matter of the prohibition or restriction of the entry or consumption of spirits in his township, village, or district?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)I feel confident that the points very properly raised by the right hon. Gentleman's question are already thoroughly appreciated in West Africa. The Secretary of State would deprecate any special intervention on his part which could be construed into an expression of doubt on the subject.