Colonial Despatches

With reference to my letter of this day's date on the subject of the recent Session of the Legislature of British Columbia I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to request that you will state to the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos that they are of opinion that it deserves consideration whether the 163rd and the 328th Sections of the 16th and 17th Vict. c. 107should should not be repealed and the Legislatures of the British Possessions be authorized to regulate the Coasting Trade of such possessions respectively in the same manner as other matters affecting Trade and Navigation viz: by Local Act or Ordinance subject to the approval of the Queen in Council.

As his Grace is aware the clauses in question were enacted at a time when the Coasting Trade of the United Kingdom was reserved to British Shipping and when it was therefore consistent with Imperial policy to restrict the Coasting Trade of the Colonies in a similar manner, and throw upon them the 'onus' of opening this trade to Foreign Ships.

But under the rule of Imperial policy now established it appears to My Lords to be for the same reason desirable that while not compelling the Colonies to adopt it, no provisions should be allowed to remain on the Statute Book, which enforce or sanction the contrary policy and if the Secretary of State concurs in this view My Lords would suggest that a Bill for this purpose should be submitted to Parliament in the approaching Session.