§ MR. JOHN ELLIS: (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the nature of the reply received from the Queensland Government to the telegram sent them by the Secretary of State, on Monday 16th instant, respecting the Kanaka Labour Traffic Regulations; when copies of the present and revised Regulations will be distributed; and when the Reports and other documents 1516 on the subject mentioned by him on Monday the 16th will be distributed?
§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact, as reported in the Press, that under the new Regulations armed boats accompany the recruiting boats?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethThe following telegram was received on Friday last from the Governor of Queensland:—
Polynesian Labour Act has been sent by mail of 22nd April, debates in Parliament have-been sent by mail 29th April. Revised Regulations go to-day. Every effort made to secure reliable agents. I agree in Premier's telegram to Agent General of 11th May which was communicated to you. Regulations seem adequate.The new Regulations which it will be observed are now on their way will be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after their arrival. The hon. Member will, no doubt, have seen the telegram in the Times of Saturday which sets out the substance of them. The present Regulations and the Reports of the Polynesian Immigration Department, with the existing Queensland Acts and recent correspondence, will be given in a Parliamentary Paper which it is hoped will be in the hands of Members on Thursday. I have not information to answer the further question put to me.