§ MR. E. JENKINSasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether there exists in Queensland any systematic registration of the number and names of the Pacific Islanders, or Coolies, who are imported for servile labour in that Colony; whether any registration is maintained of the births and deaths which take place among them; and, whether, if such registration does not exist, Her Majesty's Government are taking any steps to establish it?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, I find that under the regulations in force in Queensland in accordance with the Act of 1868, that all imported Coolies arriving at Brisbane are registered at the Immigration Office at that port, and in the case of arrivals at other ports in the Colony the registration is effected at the Custom House, and a copy of the register forwarded to the Immigration Office at Brisbane by the next mail. As regards births and deaths, no special provision is made respecting births, the registration of which is conducted in a similar manner to that adopted in the case of the population generally. With respect to deaths, however, an immediate report must be made to the nearest bench of magistrates and also to the Immigration agent. The reason why no special provision is in force with reference to births is that, as the hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, the Polynesians do not immigrate in families.