HC Deb 02 February 1897 vol 45 cc1066-7
MR. HOGAN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether recent local legislation affecting the aborigines of Western Australia has been vetoed by Her Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether there is any objection to stating the grounds on which the Imperial veto has been exercised in this instance?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

No recent legislation affecting the aborigines of Western Australia has been vetoed. A new Bill was passed by the Legislature of that colony in 1894, to repeal Section 70 of the Constitution Act, which appropriates 1 per cent. of the colonial revenue for the use of the Aborigines Protection Board. This Measure was reserved by the Acting Governor, and has not yet been assented to. Considerable correspondence has passed with the colonial Government, which is now in the hands of the printer, and will, I trust, shortly be ready for presentation.