§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies a Question of which I have 1335 given him private Notice. The Papers relating to New Guinea, which have recently been distributed, do not include either the Despatch of the Governor of Queensland, which has been referred to in this House, or any decision of Her Majesty's Government on the question of the annexation of New Guinea. I wish to ask whether the Despatch of the Governor of Queensland has been received, and, if so, when it will be presented to the House; and, also, whether Her Majesty's Government have arrived at any decision on the subject?
§ MR. LEWISasked whether the Government had made any communication on the subject since the 14th of April, the date of the last communication from the Colonial Office mentioned in the Papers?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe Despatch of the Governor of Queensland has not yet arrived; and, therefore, I am unable to say whether it can be laid on the Table, or to state the decision of Her Majesty's Government on the subject. I do not think there have been any communications since the date the hon. Member for Londonderry mentions.