§ 25. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he received a petition at the end 1360 of last year from practically the entire population of St. Helena, headed by two members of the Executive Council, asking, amongst other things, for the recall of the Acting-Governor and for the appointment of a Committee to investigate and report on the present state of the public service; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take in regard thereto?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieutenant-Colonel Amery)My hon. Friend probably refers to a petition received by the Secretary of State's predecessor, to which he replied that the petitioners gave no reasons for their demands, and that the administration of the government of the Colony did not appear to call for any of the measures for which they asked. I have since received a letter with numerous signatures expressing great appreciation of the work of the Acting-Governor in keeping down the price of essential foodstuffs, and stating that the meeting which gave rise to the petition was not representative of the people of the island but was organised by the larger merchants and flax mill-owners. The petition appears to have been inspired by the dissatisfaction of the larger merchants with the action of the Government in regard to foodstuffs which was, however, highly appreciated by the poorer classes.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman seen the lengthy petition signed by an enormous number of people?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel AMERYI understand largely by the employés of the firms concerned.