§ MR. MARSHsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the intentions of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the new colony of "Queensland," in the northern part of Australia.
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEin reply said, that the colony of "Queensland" was not actually in existence until the Queen's Order in Council had been proclaimed, by the Governor, who was about to go out. The only difficulty was as to the adjustment of the debt between the old colony of new South Wales and the new colony. The noble Duke at the head of the Colonial Department intended to leave the two colonies to settle that point between themselves, and only to have recourse to legislative interference in this country in the event of the colonies failing to come to an agreement. With respect to the question of boundary, the noble Duke proposed to abide in general terms by the boundary recommended by Sir William Denison, but if the two Colonial Governments chose to agree upon any modification of that boundary, they would be at liberty to do so.