§ 48. Mr. TOUCHEasked on what date the Palm Oil Bill for the Gold Coast Colony passed the Committee stage; if it has yet received a Third Reading; if so, on what date and by what majority; and how did the unofficial members of the Legislative Council vote on the Third Reading?
Mr. HARCOURTI am not aware on what date the Bill passed through Committee—but it received a Third Reading on the 4th instant. I have not yet received the particulars of the voting.
§ 50. Mr. TOUCHEasked if at the meeting of the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast Colony on 26th March, 1913, on the Motion that the council do resolve itself into Committee to consider the Palm Oil bill Clause by Clause, it was moved by the senior unofficial member that the Bill be not read in Committee but be withdrawn; that all the unofficial members voted in support of the Motion to withdraw the Bill, which was defeated by a majority of one; and, in view of the fact 214 that the Bill introduces and legalises the principle of monopoly, and of its lack of support except from official members of the council, will the Government reconsider their policy of granting the protection from competition provided in the Bill?
Mr. HARCOURTThe facts as to the proceedings in the Legislative Council are as stated by the hon. Member. The Government do not propose to reconsider the policy of the Ordinance. It is hardly correct to say that it introduces the principle of monopoly—as it does not confer the sole right to buy or sell any product, and the protection from competition afforded is of a strictly limited character.