Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a copy of the loyal address to the King from the Trinidad Working Men's Association, in which they pray for extended powers of self-government for the people of Trinidad; and whether he can show his appreciation of their professions of loyalty by taking the necessary steps to grant a more representative system of government?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)My hon. Friend has furnished me with a copy of the address to which he refers. My hon. Friend would not, of course, suggest that the professions of loyalty in the address are not the spontaneous and disinterested expression of the feelings of the authors of the address. In these circumstances, I 680 think it would be out of place to treat them as affording consideration for a course which does not appear otherwise desirable.