§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a statement which has appeared in the Christian Colonist, an Adelaide newspaper, bearing date 18th October last year, saying that—
The Chief Justice (Acting) of Western Australia has hold that natives in the service of white men may be flogged by their masters. Several parsons who had killed natives in this way were acquitted;whether he can state if the allegation contained in the last paragraph be correct; and, if so, whether the Government intend to take any action in the matter?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSMy attention has not been called to the article, but if a copy of it is furnished to me by the hon. Member the Secretary of State will consider whether an inquiry should be made.