Mr Fortescue
I suppose that some such answer is the only one that
can be given. I should ack
ge and say that the
Duke of Newcastle is fully alive to the
importance of the subject and
has given every encouragement in his power to any endeavours
of the Colonial Governments of
B. Columbia and
VanCouver's
Island to improve their postal communication with England,
but that with regard to the further question of a grant of
aid from the Imperial Treasury, H.M's
Govt have not felt
themselves at liberty to apply to Parliament for a vote
for this purpose.