§ SIR H. DEUMMOND WOLFFasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any movement has taken place in Queensland for a division of that Colony; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have taken any decision thereon?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYNo doubt, there is somewhat of such a movement in Northern Queensland, chiefly in consequence of the inability of employers in the Northern district to obtain Indian and other coloured labour which they require. Her Majesty's Government have not yet found themselves called upon to take any decision thereon. But, in consequence of communications they have received, they have asked the Colonial Ministry for any expression of their views on the subject which they may be disposed to give. Her Majesty's Government has, at the same time, intimated that they would be very reluctant to advise a separation of part of the Colony, if the wishes and requirements of the residents in that part can be otherwise fairly met, in so far as, after due inquiry, they may be found to be just and reasonable.