MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS. (Hansard, 18 July 1884)

§ EARL DE LA WARR

, in rising to move— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty for Papers and Correspondence which has taken place during the last few years with reference to the question of making Malta a centre for civil service, naval, and military examinations; also to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposed changes have been made in the administration of civil affairs of Malta and its dependencies, in connection with the position and duties of the Chief Secretary, who is now acting also in the capacity of Lieutenant Governor, said, he hoped to be able to explain, in a few words, his reasons for moving an Address for Papers and Correspondence relative to a question which was one of great concern to the Maltese people. Some time ago, he believed when the noble Earl opposite the Secretary of State for India (the Earl of Kimberley) was Colonial Secretary, and he thought also while the noble Earl below him (the Earl of Carnarvon) filled that Office, a Correspondence took place between the Imperial Government and the Maltese Government, relative to making Malta a centre for Civil Service and Naval and Military examinations. Now, until the Papers to which he referred were before their Lordships, it was not possible to enter fully into the question; but there could be no difficulty in seeing that it was a matter of the greatest importance to the Maltese, that there should be placed within their reach, advantages from which they were now practically excluded, but which, as British subjects, they naturally felt they had some right to claim. The relations of Malta to this country were very peculiar. It was a Dependency of the British Crown; but it was not, strictly speaking, 1585 in the position of a Colony. The Maltese were British subjects; but, not being of British origin, it would be a mistake to regard them as a Colony like many other Dependencies of the Crown. They placed themselves voluntarily under the protection of the Crown of this country; and it was naturally stipulated that, as far as possible, the privileges of the Maltese should be preserved and their ancient laws continued. He did not, however, think that it could be said that these privileges had been so fully accorded to them as might have been expected since Malta became a Dependency of the British Crown; and it was not, he believed, till the year 1849, when Mr. More O'Ferrall was Governor, that the right of representation in the Council of Government was granted to them. He should perhaps be travelling somewhat beyond the subject which he wished now to bring specially under their Lordships' notice, if he were to go further into this; but, in considering any question relating to Malta, he thought it should be borne in mind that its position was not that of a fortress only. He wished to speak as in no way undervaluing its importance as such to this country; but it must be remembered that there was a civil population, a considerable population, and an increasing one, whose welfare, whose industries, whose trade and commerce, whose resources and their capabilities of development were matters which demanded the most careful and attentive consideration. He might add, not the least among these was the promoting facilities for education, not only elementary, but also the higher branches. These, it was true, in a great measure existed or were in progress; but there was one thing wanting, and one which greatly hindered the advance of education in the upper classes—it was the want of the opportunity of making use of the education which had been acquired. In Malta alone there was little scope for this, and a young man who had qualified himself to pass, it might be into the Civil Service, or into the Army or the Navy, was unable to offer himself for examination without coming to England. This amounted almost to exclusion; among other reasons, the expense was an almost insurmountable barrier. Knowing, as he thought he might say, something about the affairs of Malta—he might also add of the 1586 loyalty of the people and their desire to strengthen the ties which connected them with this country—he did not believe that there was anything at this moment which would more tend to encourage this than to give them the advantage of making Malta a centre for Civil Service, Naval, and Military examinations. It would stimulate education; it would encourage, in the most popular and legitimate manner, the study of the English language; and it would open the door of honourable competition to young men of ability and talent, to take their places in the service of their country, in Malta, or in England. He trusted the noble Earl the Secretary of State for the Colonies (the Earl of Derby) would not object to laying the Papers and Correspondence relating to this subject, some of which must be of a rather distant date, upon the Table of the House. He (Earl De La Warr) was sure that, from the Papers which must be in the possession of the noble Earl in the Colonial Office, he would see the importance of what he had now ventured to bring more immediately under his notice, and he hoped their Lordships might be put in possession of fuller information than he was himself able to give. It remained only for him to ask the noble Earl, whether, the Chief Secretary at Malta, having been gazetted as Lieutenant Governor, with an increased salary as such, would have the administration of the civil affairs of the Island more immediately under his direction; and, whether the noble Earl could explain what his actual position was? He concluded by moving the Address of which he had given Notice.

§ THE EARL OF DERBY

said, he thought it would be, perhaps, more convenient to their Lordships, as well as to his noble Friend (Earl De La Warr), if he answered first the criticism which he had made. He promised, some time ago, to lay Papers on the Table of the House which would, he thought, show the position and functions of the Chief Secretary in his new situation as Lieutenant Governor. Those Papers, he be- 1587 lieved, were already in a form for presentation; but, at any rate, he could say they would be in their Lordships' hands before the close of the Session. He might mention, upon that matter, that he thought the noble Earl had exaggerated in his own mind the magnitude of the change made. It was not intended to take away any of the administrative power in civil affairs at present possessed by the Governor; it was only intended to give the Chief Secretary a higher status. Nothing had been done in the recent change which would deprive the Governor of any power which he at present possessed. With regard to the Correspondence which had taken place during the last few years with reference to making Malta a centre for Civil Service, Naval and Military examinations, there would be no objection to laying it on the Table, as it was not very voluminous. It commenced in 1878 and ended in 1882, and the most material part was already in print. It would be well for the noble Earl to withdraw his Motion, and the Papers would be laid on the Table in the ordinary manner. The question of making Malta a centre for these examinations had not been raised since he had been at the Colonial Office. He thought the whole difficulty lay in this—that Malta could not very well be dealt with exceptionally. It might be a fair subject of discussion whether there should be Colonial centres of examination for the Public Service; but if that question was to be raised, it would have to be raised on a much larger scale. An exception could not be made in favour of Malta while other British Colonies and Dependencies not much more distant from England, and with as good claims, were excluded.