§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to the expulsion of the Reverend John Jones by the French from Maré, one of the Loyalty Islands, where he has laboured for over 30 years as a successful Christian missionary; and, if he has any information to show whether Mr. Jones was expelled because he was a Protestant?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)As soon as it had been reported by Her Majesty's Consul that the Rev. Mr. Jones had been expelled from the Loyalty Islands inquiries were made through the Ambassador at Paris as to the cause. No positive answer has yet been received from the French Government; but it has been stated that Mr. Jones had carried on an anti-French propaganda in the Loyalty Islands, hoping for their annexation to Australia, and that he had been warned by the Governor of New Caledonia to desist from interference in political affairs.
§ MR. JOHNSTONasked, if the right hon. Gentleman would lay the Papers on the Table?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONsaid, that an answer had not yet been received from the French Government. When it was 1238 received he should be happy to communicate with his hon. Friend.