§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been directed to the complaints concerning 40 the administration of the resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands; and can he state what inquiries have been made thereon, where held, and on what dates and also into the case of Mr. Goodge, who was imprisoned and deported.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINAn exhaustive inquiry into the complaints referred to was made by a Commission consisting of the Commander, the Navigating Lieutenant, and the Surgeon of His Majesty's Ship "Phoebe" at Tarawa in the Gilbert Group on the 18th and 19th of September last. The Commission reported that of the numerous charges made, some were easily explained, some were absolutely untrue and were withdrawn, and that not a single case of harshness or oppression was satisfactorily established. The Report of the Commission, which is a somewhat lengthy document, is at the hon. Member's service if he desires to peruse it.