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matters the consideration of which ought properly and must ultimately be brought before the Council at its public sittings, and of obtaining from them, in writing through the senior member, opinions on matters on which subsequently they are called on to vote in open Council. Such consultations must tend to ren ler the meetings of Council farcical. There can be no real consideration or discussion, all being cut and dried beforehand. The public may have no opportunity of hearing the reasons put forward by the Government in support of their views, and the unofficial members must be deprived of the opportunity of learning the opinions on the subject, of those they are supposed to represent, whatever it may be. The continuance of such methods must render the proceedings of the Council pro forma, and I submit they are unconstitutional.

I desire that the point and my complaint may be referred to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that his special attention may be directed to this, that if such a course of procedure is permissible at any time—and I do not say that within limits it is not-this question of the Gap Rock Light Dues is the very last that should be dealt with in that way. It is a question affecting the freedom of the port, affecting directly every merchant and trader, a question which ought to be as publicly and as thoroughly ventilated as possible, and to the consideration of which and of the possible consequences of the abolition or retention of the tax, the greatest length of time should be given. The Chamber of Commerce, directly representing the mercantile and shipping interest, make strong representations on the subject, and their representations and opinious should not, I think, be overruled by a secret conclave of gentlemen one only of whom, Mr. BELL-IRVING, directly represents the mercantile and shipping world, and who in fact was absent from the meeting of unofficial members at which the question was settled. The other unofficial members are large land owners or largely interested in land and property, and only indirectly interested in the trade and freedom of the port. This is not a question which should be left to the unofficial members to settle in private, and without a full statement in public of their reasons and a full consideration and discussion of all possible alternatives. There may be a discussion in open Council, and speeches may be made, but there will be no bonâ fide debate. There cannot be, when the conclusion has been pre-arranged.

As to the question of the abolition of the Gap Rock Light Dues, I am dis- tinctly of opinion that they ought to be abolished. They were imposed for a temporary purpose which has been effected, and, more, they have left a considerable credit balance in hand. There should be no tax of any kind on shipping, no matter how slight or for whatever purpose. Hongkong was established as a free port. It has attained its present position because it has been a free port. It can only maintain its position by remaining an entirely and an absolutely free port. The landowners, the merchants, the traders, the professional men, all who are making their livelihood in Hongkong, owe their prosperity to the presence of the shipping. A free port opened on the neighbouring coast would draw away a large portion of our shipping, and the establishment of such a port has been and is now in contemplation. The residents in Hongkong should be willing to pay at "bonus" if it were needful to encourage ships and steamers to this port. The Light Dues may be a mere trifle in themselves, but in these days of keen compe- tition and careful calculation of expenses they have to be taken into account. is the principle of freedom I contend for. I cordially support the request of the Chamber of Commerce for the abolition of the Gap Rock Light Dues, and I object to the impost of the same dues under another name. I am not satisfied that it is necessary to substitute some other source of revenue, but if additional taxation is an absolute necessity, there are, it seems to me, other available sources of income. House property more than any other interest derives its value from the shipping, the fees for spirit licences might be increased or doubled, and there are considera- tions arising out of the Opium Farm and opium, and suggestions might be made in connection therewith for raising any required addition to the revenue, Had the

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