HC Deb 06 July 1883 vol 281 cc611-2
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

In consequence of a reply that was made to a Question of mine yesterday, I beg to give Notice that I will, on the earliest opportunity, move the following Resolution:— That in view of the unanimous desire of Her Majesty's Australian Colonies for the establishment of a British Protectorate over New Guinea and the adjacent Islands, and the im- portance of Preventing any Foreign Power taking possession of these Islands, this House prays Her Majesty's Government to establish a Protectorate over them.

MR. CALLAN

In that case I give Notice that I shall ask whether the French have not just as much right to take possession of the New Hebrides as the English had to take possession of New Guinea?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

That is a matter of opinion which I could not answer.