§ 28. Sir G. TOULMINasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the recently adopted policy of the Governor of the Seychelles Islands providing for the importation and retail sale of spirits by the Government of the islands; whether he has received a memorial from certain planters and other inhabitants of the islands protesting against the said policy in the interests of the coolies on the plantations; and whether he will accede to the prayer of the petitioners and secure the abandonment by the Government of the Seychelles Islands of the policy of importing and retailing spirits?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Governor's action was taken in consequence of a prolonged attempt by merchants to resist an increased import duty on liquor and other articles, and it had my full approval. The Government has arrived at an agreement with the importers, and has ceased to import and retail liquor.