HC Deb 08 May 1902 vol 107 cc1087-8
MR. JAMES O'KELLY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether provision has been made under the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty to relieve Japanese subjects from the disabilities attaching to Asiatic immigrants to Australia; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government will urge upon the conference of Colonial Premiers the necessity of recognising the equal international rights of Japanese subjects within the British Empire with the subjects of other friendly foreign Powers, and call on all self-governing British colonies to extend to Japanese subjects all the privileges and rights as to residence, trading, settlement, and colonisation enjoyed by subjects of other foreign Powers.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The Anglo-Japanese Agreement has been laid before Parliament, and the hon. Member will see, on referring to the text, that it does not touch on the question of immigration, It is not proposed to discuss the position of Japanese subjects at the Conference of Colonial Premiers.

MR. JAMES O'KELLY

Are Japanese subjects not to be treated as those of a civilised Power?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

There is not the slightest foundation for that suggestion.

MR. SWIFT MACNETLL (Donegal, S.)

Your ally! Your ally!