§ MR. BLAKEasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Colonial Office has received any communications from the Agents General of the other Australian Colonies on the subject of the annexation of New Guinea by Queensland; and, if he will specify from which Colonies, and the purport of their respective communications?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYSir, the Agent General for New South Wales presented at the Colonial Office the following telegram from the Colonial Secretary at Sydney:—"This Government views favourably the annexation of New Guinea to the British Crown." 1719 The Agent General for Victoria handed in the following telegram he had received from the Premier of Victoria: —"Promptly and earnestly support action of Queensland Government in annexing New Guinea." And from South Australia we have received a direct message from the Governor, Sir William Robinson, in which he says—
My Government requests me to convey their opinion that New Guinea should be under British rule, and hope the action of the Government of Queensland may have that result.
§ MR. O'KELLYMay I ask whether Holland has abandoned her claims no New Guinea?
§ [No reply was given.]