§ MR. WHALLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether his attention has been called to the prospect of a large immigration from Australia to New Guinea consequent on the discovery of gold, as reported by Captain Moresby, R.N.; and, whether for this or other reasons it is the intention of the Government to establish a British settlement on that Island?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, the attention of the Colonial Office has not been recently drawn to any immediate prospect of a large immigration from Australia to New Guinea, although I am, of course, aware that the subject has been a good deal discussed from time to time in Australia. As to the latter part of the 492 Question of the hon. Gentleman, he will no doubt agree with me that, under the circumstances I have mentioned, it would be premature to form any opinion upon the subject.