§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURYsaid, he had to appeal to the noble Lord opposite (Lord Lyveden) who had given notice—
To call the Attention of the House to the Correspondence respecting and arising from the Non-enactment of the Appropriation Act in Victoria and the Recall of the Governor of the Colony,to postpone his Motion until some day next week, in consequence of what had taken place last evening in the other House of Parliament.
§ LORD LYVEDENsaid, that although the Motion he intended to submit was not of a party character, he should not hesitate to comply with the noble Earl's request. He should therefore postpone it till Friday next. But at the same time he must express a hope that the noble Duke the Secretary of State for the Colonies would not take any action relating to the subject before the discussion.
THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAMsaid, he did not think that it would be right for him to give any engagement in reference to the course which he might think fit to take should any circumstances arise which, in his opinion, called for the action of the Secretary of State; but he could assure the noble Lord that it was not likely that anything could arise before the discussion which would affect the question in one way or the other. The last mail brought nothing which called for an answer, and he was not aware that it was likely that there would be any communication from the Government to the Colony before the time when this discussion was arranged to come on. With regard to the question itself, he would say that he believed there was not, nor ever had been any difference of opinion between the Government and the noble Lord with regard to the impropriety of such a grant as that which had been proposed; nor did he believe that there would be any difference of opinion in their Lordships' House. No doubt there might be difference of opinion as to the course which should be pursued; and upon that matter it was quite right that there should be discussion.