that within the last year the Transvaal | what are the reasons which led to a preGovernment made representations to us ference for Suda Bay as a rendezvous urging the restoration of Cetewayo, and for operations at Alexandria? the answer then given was that those representations would receive due consideration from Her Majesty's Govern ment. PROTECTION OF PERSON AND PRO- JAMES MONAGHAN. MR. T. D. SULLIVAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will grant a release on parole for a few days to Mr. James Monaghan of Glanidon, Westmeath, who has undergone seven months' imprisonment as a suspect, and whose mother is now believed to be very near her death, both mother and son being very desirous to meet once again before she dies? MR. TREVELYAN: Sir, His Excellency has decided that he cannot at present allow Mr. Monaghan's release, on parole or otherwise. The lady mentioned by the hon. Member is believed to be the prisoner's mother-in-law, and not his mother. THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY TEARING DOWN NOTICES. MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN: Sir, in answer to the geographical inquiry addressed to me by my right hon. and gallant Friend, I have to say that I believe the three places named are distant from Alexandria 325 miles, 345 miles, and 417 miles respectively. My right hon. and gallant Friend further asks me why Suda Bay was selected as a rendezvous? The reason was that it is the natural place in which to assemble squadrons moving from Corfu and the Piræus. SIR JOHN HAY asked what the Squadron had to do at Corfu ? MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, in reply, said, that the Squadron had been moved from Corfu. The British Squadron had been moved from Corfu and the French from the Piræus. Suda Bay was directly in the way from those places. SIR JOHN HAY asked whether there were any stores at Corfu for the supply of the British Squadron ? [No answer was given.] ADULTERATION ACTS-LARD CHEESE. MR. R. H. PAGET asked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention has been called to the manufacture, in the United States of America, of an article called cheese, compounded of a mixture of the bluest skim-milk and lard; and, if he will endeavour to ascertain if any of this spurious cheese is imported into this Country; and, if so, if he will take steps to insure that this compound, when exposed for sale, shall be sold only MR. T. D. SULLIVAN asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that, on Sunday the 28th of May, a notice which was posted on the chapel of Raheenmore, county Westmeath, requesting the people of that locality to assemble to cut the turf of Mr. William Maloney, a suspect now detained in Enniskillen Prison, was torn down by the police, by which act many persons were intimi- "lard cheese," or be distinguished in dated from rendering to Mr. Maloney such a manner as to prevent imposition such assistance; and, whether the Go-to purchasers in this Country? vernment sanction that action on the part of the police? MR. TREVELYAN: I find that the sub-constable at Raheenmore did take down such a notice. There would appear to have been no necessity for his tearing down the notice, and he has been called on for an explanation. EGYPT (POLITICAL AFFAIRS)- THE ANGLO-FRENCH FLEET-SUDA BAY. SIR JOHN HAY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, What are the distances respectively of Famagousta, Marmorice, and Suda Bay from Alexandria, and as MR. WILBRAHAM EGERTON asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he has read the report of Dr. Voelcker to the Royal Agricultural Society on the composition of lard and oleomargarine cheese lately imported from America; and, whether he would cause inquiries to be made at the ports of entry relative to the importation of such cheeses, so that they may be entered and sold under their proper designation, and not as "whole milk " cheeses? MR. CHAMBERLAIN: Sir, my attention has been directed to the manu tenant of Ireland, Whether, in view of the terrible occurrences again reported from Ireland, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to give any assurance that they will not proceed further with the release of persons who have been imprisoned on suspicion of inciting to murder? MR. TREVELYAN: Sir, I cannot give an absolute assurance on this point to the hon. Baronet. In cases of arrest on suspicion made previously to his own tenure of Office His Excellency is obliged to pay great attention to the recommendations and advice of the magistrates and special magistrates in charge of districts. But in cases of suspicion of inciting to murder, His Excellency will undoubtedly take into consideration the state of things which has been disclosed by the terrible occurrences of Thursday. facture of an article called "cheese," compounded of skim-milk and lard, or oleomargarine, and I am aware that this article is being imported into this country. I have made inquiries of the Custom House, but at present the import and export statistics do not make any distinction between this cheese and ordinary cheese, and I am consequently unable to give any information as to the extent of the importation; but the question of statistics is at the present time being considered by a small Departmental Committee, and I will refer the question of providing for a distinct classification in future to the Committee. As regards the sale in this country, the Adulteration Acts impose a penalty of £20 on any person selling any article of food not of the nature, substance, or quality demanded by the purchaser, without disclosing the fact, and this enactment would, I presume, serve to prevent imposition. I have also read the Report STATE OF IRELAND-ILLEGAL of Dr. Voelcker, alluded to by the hon. NOTICES " BOYCOTTING." Member for Mid Cheshire (Mr. WilSIR BALDWYN LEIGHTON asked braham Egerton), and find that he states the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieuthat as far as he can judge at present-tenant of Ireland, If it is the case that the following notice has been extensively posted in the neighbourhood of Tulla "The lard and oleomargarine cheeses are wholesome and nutritious articles of food, which cannot be distinguished by their appearance and general properties from ordinary cheese." more: "All true Irishmen are hereby called upon to Boycott the renegades and who have lately apostasized themselves by paying their rents against the wishes abatement. The former has also purchased a of their fellow tenants, and without obtaining cabin and patch of bog over the head of a defenceless orphan, and his labourers are now called upon to quit his employment;' and, whether police have obtained any clue to the authors of this notice? I am, moreover, doubtful whether in any case it is desirable to interfere further with the production or sale of this article, even in the interests of agriculturists, as I find that Lord Vernon, who took the chair at a recent meeting of the Agricultural Society, expressed his opinion that the Society should be very careful before requesting the interference of the MR. TREVELYAN: Sir, only one Board of Trade, as one of the great copy of the notice, which is correctly obstacles to butter-making was the diffi-quoted in the Question, was found posted culty in getting rid of the skim-milk; whereas, by the introduction of lard or oleomargarine, the dairy companies would be able to work up their refuse produce into a wholesome article of food. It appears, therefore, that the British farmer may possibly desire to enter into this manufacture. PROTECTION OF PERSON AND PRO- UNDER THE ACT. SIR WILLIAM HART DYKE asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu Mr. Chamberlain in the district, and it was immediately taken down by the police. The police have no evidence on which they could proceed against any party in connection with this outrage. MR. HEALY: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary if he has received any information that these "Boycotting "" notices are frequently posted by penny-a-liners for the purpose of furnishing them paragraphs for forwarding to the English newspapers? [No answer was given.] CURRENCY-THE MONETARY CON FERENCE, PARIS. MR. BRIGGS asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether, having regard to the fact that we are still maintaining a gold standard in England and a silver standard in India, and that France and the United States of America desire to restore silver everywhere to its former monetary functions, and so remove the confusion created by variations in the relative value of gold and silver, which variations have been and are seriously detrimental to our commerce, especially with India, it is the intention of the Government to promote an early re-assembling of the Monetary Conference to deal with this subject; and, whether he can inform the House when that Conference is likely to re-assemble? MR. FAWCETT: Sir, it has already been pressed upon my notice that certain premises in Uxbridge, which happen to be vacant, would be very suitable for a new Post Office. I have given the subject careful consideration, and I have come to the conclusion that the circumstances do not necessitate the taking of these particular premises. The postmaster has instructions to make certain alterations and improvements in the present office, the situation of which is convenient; and his private business will not be allowed to interfere with that part of the premises devoted to the Post Office. INDIA-APPOINTMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether it is a fact that the hon. Ashley Eden, on his promotion from the post of Lieutenant Governor of Bengal to be Member of the India Council, appointed his private secretary, Mr. Henry, to be one of the first grade joint magistrates over the heads of some twenty or more on the assistant list, and also over the heads of ten of the second grade, thus raising his salary from £500 to £900, and gave him also charge of a district, to which in ordinary circumstances he had no claim, thus further securing him another £250 a-year; and, whether Sir Richard Temple appointed his private THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: Sir, on the 12th of April last I was informed, through Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that the Governments of France and the United States had proposed an adjournment of the Monetary Conference, the next meeting of which had been fixed for that day, until further progress had been made in arriving at a definite basis of future discussion, subject to an understanding as to the date of its re-assembling during the present year. On the part of the Government of India I concurred in the propriety of this proposal, and stated my readiness to give the ne-secretary, Mr. Buckland, then being of cessary instructions to its representatives to attend the Conference, whenever it was found practicable to fix the date of its meeting. As the Governments of France and the United States have throughout taken the initiative in this matter, it would appear to be rather for them than for Her Majesty's Government to take the necessary steps to promote the early re-assembling of the Conference. I cannot state when it is likely to re-assemble. POST OFFICE THE UXBRIDGE POST OFFICE. MR. SCHREIBER asked the Postmaster General, Whether he will at once take steps to acquire a site in the centre of the town of Uxbridge now available for a separate post office, in which the work can be properly performed, with adequate accommodation for the public, and distinct from any private business? the standing in the service of an assistant magistrate, to be superintendent of stamps and stationery, with a salary increased from £500 to £1,500? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: Sir, I have investigated the cases of the promotion of Mr. Henry and Mr. Buckland, and I have no reason to think that there was anything unusual or exceptional in them. The details of these promotions and the rules of the Service regulating them are extremely technical, and I do not think it is necessary to enter into them, though I shall be prepared to defend them if they are challenged. I may, however, state that the officers immediately above and below Mr. Henry were appointed to the officiating first grade of joint magistrates and deputy collectors at the same time as himself. On the recent retirement of the Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Henry was confirmed in that grade before some ARMY-PAY DEPARTMENT. COLONEL O'BEIRNE asked the Se of his seniors, in accordance with the against an accumulation of flood water. well-recognized practice of the Service, I am assured that no sluices will be that officers who have held the position opened at the risk of injury to lands of private secretary shall be transferred below. to a position of equal value where that is possible. For this practice there is very good reason, inasmuch as an officer holding the appointment of private secretary gives up all claim to the right to other acting appointments of whatever value. He was entitled, by his position in the Service, to the charge of the district to which he was appointed, and his actual predecessor in that district for many months before his appointment to it was a man who entered the Service on the same day as himself. Mr. Buckland was not appointed by Sir Richard Temple to be Superintendent of Stamps and Stationery. When Sir Richard Temple was Lieutenant Governor of Bengal Mr. Buckland was his private secretary. When Sir Richard Temple became Governor of Bombay, Mr. Buck- INLAND NAVIGATION (IRELAND)— MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been directed to the great possibility of exceptional damages from summer floods during the present year, in the Valley of the Shannon, below Meelick and above Killaloe, by reason of the flood waters from above Meelick being unable to pass Killaloe, owing to the works at the latter place being in a more backward state than the works at the former; and, whether the Board of Works contemplate taking any steps, and, if so, what steps to obviate the danger? MR. COURTNEY: Sir, the contingency anticipated by the hon. Member has been fully provided against. It is probable that the works at Killaloe will be completed as soon as those at Meelick; but should they not be so, the sluices can be so managed as to guard The Marquess of Hartington cretary of State for War, Whether it is not a fact that, by the regulations of the Service, the officers in the Pay Department are, in the performance of their duties, and in all matters of discipline, subject to the immediate authority and directions of the Military officers under whom they may be serving; if he will explain, therefore, how the officers of the Pay Department can be, in matters relating to discipline, subject likewise to the orders of the Accountant General; and, whether it is contemplated to have War Office, and placed on an equality in the Pay Department represented at the this respect with the Chaplains, Commissariat, Transport Staff, Medical Ordnance Store, and Veterinary Departments? MR. CHILDERS: Sir, I am really at a loss to understand why my hon. and gallant Friend asks this Question. In reply to his former Question on the 22nd, I told him that there was underlying it the very Question which he puts now, and I said that it was one of those affecting this Department which I was going to consider. I can really add nothing to this at present, except that, as a matter of fact, these officers are already for military discipline under the Commander in-Chief. IRELAND-AGRARIAN OUTRAGES- MR. BUXTON asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Why the Returns of Agrarian Outrages (Ireland), issued in March, April, and May, have all been given under different headings; and, whether, considering the extreme gravity of the subject, it would not be possible that in future these Returns may be given from month to month in precisely the same form? MR. TREVELYAN: I am obliged to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this matter, and I have now given instructions for having these Returns prepared for the future in precisely the same form. INDIA-FORCED LABOUR AT ASSAM. MR. O'DONNELL asked the Secretary of State for India, If he is aware that forced labour is exacted from the people of Assam by the British authorities; and, if he has approved of such exaction of forced labour? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: Sir, I am not aware that forced labour is exacted from the people of Assam by the British authorities. Some complaints appear to have been made that the village head men, who are responsible for the maintenance of the local roads, &c., sometimes improperly exact labour from the villagers for that purpose. These complaints appear to have been brought to the notice of the Chief Commissioner and of the Government of India. In the wild tracts known as the Naga and Garo Hills, which have lately been the scene of military operations, one of the conditions made with the people on the pacification of the country is that they shall give a certain amount of labour annually at a low rate to construct roads, &c. MR. O'DONNELL asked if the attention of the noble Lord had been directed to the letter of a newspaper correspondent, in which it was stated that advances were made in money to these labourers, and that if they refused to receive them or to work they were dragged from their homes and subjected to ill-treatment and imprisonment, and that it was notorious that the only way to avoid this treatment was to propitiate the officers by bribes; and, whether Her Majesty's Government were aware that the forced labour had been characterized by The Hindoo Patriot as a slave-grinding system? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON said, that he was unable to accept the statement referred to by the hon. Member. His attention had been called to it, and he would cause inquiries to be made. INDIA-NATIVE ESTATES-APPOINT MENTS OF MANAGERS. MR. O'DONNELL asked the Secretary of State for India, If he is aware of the practice of appointing relatives of highplaced British officials in India to lucrative situations in the management of large native estates; and, if he has VOL. CCLXX. [THIRD SERIES.] received any complaints on the subject? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: No, Sir, I am not aware of such a practice, nor have I received any complaints on the subject. MR. O'DONNELL asked if the noble Marquess would lay on the Table the letter of resignation of a gentleman in Bengal, who had held one of these appointments? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: If the hon. Member will put the Question on the Paper, I will make inquiries. THE CHANNEL TUNNEL SCHEME. MR. MONK asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any further delay is desirable before the Channel Tuntion of the House for their Second Reading; and, if so, whether he can state when the Government will be prepared to express an opinion upon them? nel Bills are submitted to the considera hon. Friend has asked me to reply to MR. CHAMBERLAIN: Sir, my right this Question. It has already been stated by Earl Granville in the House of Lords that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government, so far as lies in their Power, that the Channel Tunnel Bills shall not be proceeded with at all until the Government are in a position to express an opinion on the subject. I have the Secretary of State for War that the been informed by my right hon. Friend sider whether the Tunnel could be made Committee which was appointed to conuseless to any enemy in time of war have reported, and that their Report has for a strategical opinion on the whole been referred to the military authorities question, which he hopes to receive in the course of a few days. As soon as further consider the subject, and hope this opinion is in our hands we shall shortly to be in a position to offer advice to the House. EGYPT (POLITICAL AFFAIRS)—THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE. BARON HENRY DE WORMS asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the facility with which the Suez Canal could at any moment be destroyed from its banks, thereby blocking the communication of England with India by that route, and inflicting disas 2 E |