MR. GORSTasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the views of the Australasian Government on the necessity of annexing New Guinea, and extending the authority of the British Empire over other places in the Western Pacific, has been brought before Her Majesty's Government in au official memorandum signed by the Agents General of the Australasian Colonies; whether the several Australasian Colonies have offered to defray the expense of, and to enter into a federation to give effect to, the policy in the Western Pacific which they deem essential to their interests; whether the memorandum referred to will be laid upon the Table of the House; and, what answer Her Majesty's Government have given to it?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYes, Sir; The Memorandum referred to has been laid before Her Majesty's Government. In it the Agents General, on behalf of their respective Governments, offer, subject to the vote and decision of their respective Legislatures, to co-operate with the Government by contributing to the cost of any policy of annexation that might be adopted. The Memorandum and Answer will, in due course be laid on the Table; but no answer has yet been sent to it, as it involves grave and lasting matters which require much consideration.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERWith regard to the hon. Gentleman's answer about New Guinea, I suppose the Papers will be laid on the Table, so that they may be circulated during the Recess?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYIf the Memorandum were to be laid on the Table alone without the answer it might be; but I cannot say that the answer will be delivered before the House rises.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI think arrangements are sometimes made for laying such documents on the Table in dummy form.
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYBut you cannot lay the answer in dummy form on the Table before it is ready.