§ MR. J. CORBETT (Worcestershire, Droitwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any provision or stipulation was made when the settlement of the New Guinea question was discussed at the late Conference for throwing Now Guinea (British) open to British trade; if, on the proclamation of Her Majesty's sovereignty, encouragement and protection will be given to pioneers willing to invest capital in promoting trade and in developing the natural resources of the country; has Her Majesty's Government received any proposals or applications from responsible persons desirous of promoting settlements in Now Guinea; and, have any feasible schemes for New Guinea development been submitted for the consideration of Her Majesty's Government by persons of local knowledge and well accredited from the Colonies, and with what result?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)This subject was not discussed at the Colonial Conference. The extent to which pioneer settlers can be encouraged will depend upon local considerations, the principal of which is the necessity of protecting the Natives from undue interference with their lands. Her Majesty's Government have received, through the Special Commissioner for New Guinea and otherwise, proposals from persons acquainted with the country who desire to promote trade and settlement. It is not proposed to deal with these applications until Her Majesty's sovereignty has been proclaimed, when they will be referred to the Administrator of Now Guinea for careful consideration and report; and until then the Government cannot pronounce an opinion upon their feasibility.