HC Deb 07 March 1899 vol 68 c21
MR. HOGAN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland intend continuing their annual subsidies towards the expenses of the administration of British New Guinea after the expiration of the present month; and whether there is any ground for the statement in the Colonial press, that the early conversion of British New Guinea into a Crown Colony is in contemplation?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

The contributing Colonies have agreed to continue the New Guinea expenditure on the present basis to the"30th of June next, pending a settlement of the Federation question. There is no ground for the statement referred to in the second Question.