HC Deb 02 September 1887 vol 320 cc915-6
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether, in the event of the compliance of the Australian Colonies with the terms on which Her Majesty's Government have expressed their willingness to annex the portion of New Guinea not claimed by Germany or Holland, Her Majesty's Government propose to act on the opinion of their Law Advisers (quoted at page 136, vol. ii. of Proceedings of the Colonial Conference), that the territory, when annexed, must he taken to hare been acquired by settlement and not by conquest or cession; and, if they really intend to treat that territory as settled by Her Majesty's subjects, and to constitute a "British Settlement," so as to render applicable Act 23 & 24 Vict. c. 121, or the new British Settlements Act, in case that should be passed into law?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)

The hon. Member has correctly stated the intentions of Her Majesty's Government, who in such a matter are guided by the opinion of the Law Advisers. There is no doubt that the territory of British New Guinea, over which it is intended to proclaim the Queen's sovereignty, comes fully within the terms of Sec. 1 of the Act 23 & 24 Vict. c. 121. As a matter of fact, for a long time past missionary, trading, and other settlements have been made on the Coast of New Guinea, and in some cases have been maintained; and, as I previously stated, any delay in establishing the Queen's sovereignty in British New Guinea would tend to cause great injury to the Natives. I may add that the British Settlements Bill gives no further powers to Her Majesty as to administration than she at present possesses under the existing Act.

In reply to a further Question by Sir George Campbell,

SIR HENRY HOLLAND

said, it had been stated a long time ago that Her Majesty was prepared, on certain legislation being passed by the Queensland Parliament, and an arrangement being made with the Australasian Colonies, to declare her sovereignty over British New Guinea.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

was understood to give Notice that he would oppose the Bill.

SIR HENRY HOLLAND

said, the hon. Member had blocked the Bill under a false understanding altogether, as was further shown by the Notice he had just given. The Bill had nothing to do directly and specially with New Guinea; and, as he had just stated, did not confer any powers on Her Majesty that she did not already possess, except as to creating Courts of Appeal. He had already explained that in a letter to the hon. Member, and he begged him to withdraw his block.

Sir GEORGE CAMPBELL

I beg to ask, whether or not Her Majesty's Government under the Act propose to treat New Guinea as a British Possession?

SIR HENRY HOLLAND

Certainly, Sir.