§ 6. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that British vessels proceeding from Canada to Australia which have put in at Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands, have been deprived of any spirituous liquor which they carried for the refreshment of their crew or passengers and have been obliged by the American authorities to continue their journey to Australia without liquor; and 2278 what action is being taken by the British Government in the matter?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that this matter has been referred to largely in the Canadian Press and that protests have been made, and how is it that our Foreign Office have not some information on the matter?
§ Mr. McNEILLIt may have been in the Press, but not officially reported.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn a case like this, which is on all fours with the American practice, surely it is advisable for the Foreign Office to inquire into the matter, and assuming that the facts are correct, may I ask whether the American Government have had their attention called to their own despatch to the Spanish Government on this matter, in which they said that, while recognising the right of that Government—
§ Mr. McNEILLMy hon. Friend is elaborating a hypothetical question, on the assumption that the facts are correct. I have told him that I have no information on that subject.