Mr. E. Noel on Friday week raised a debate upon
the murder of Mr. Birch, and recent occurrences in Malaya. Mr. Lowther, however, declined to explain the one point of interest, the policy adopted by the Cabinet in Malaya, and that is also omitted from the papers presented to Parliament. We should judge from these that Sir William Jervois, the present Governor of the Straits, is an able and determined man, who took advantage of the partial sanction ,given by the Colonial Office to Sir A. Clarke's policy to carry out a plan of governing the Native States direct through Residents, instead of advising through Residents, which he knew his superiors would not like. Lord Carstarvon scolds him heartily for his ontre,esidanee, but recog- nises his ability and zeal, and does not remove him. The Seotetary for the Colonies appears inclined to give one more trial to the Residential system, that is, the system of advising, before he resolves on annexation, which would compel him to station a garrison of Queen's troops in the Straits, just now a necessity to be avoided. He had much better, we should say, if he is com- pelled to avoid annexation—the course sure to be ultimately necessary—select the Premiers for these States, and insist that tb ey should not be dismissed without the Governor's consent. That would get rid of the difficulty caused by the birth-claims of the incapable, violent native Princes, and is quite in accordance with Malay sentiment, which resents European sway, unless it is direct and visible. The policy adopted is not, however, yet clear.
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