§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that during the debate in the Legislative Council of Trinidad regarding Canadian reciprocity, the Governor made a statement influencing members to vote in favour; whether the Colonial Office made 1747W any representations on the subject to the Governor; and, if so, what was the nature of those representations?
Mr. HARCOURTI have read the report of the debate in question. While the Governor expressed his personal view in favour of the proposed reciprocity agreement, he stated at the outset of the debate that the official members were left entirely free to express any view that they might hold and to vote as they thought fit. One of the official members voted against the agreement. Throughout the correspondence which has taken place on this subject I have refrained from any attempt to influence public opinion in the West Indian Colonies in regard to this question.