HC Deb 08 May 1902 vol 107 cc1088-9
* SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any intention on the part of the Netherlands Government of establishing a penal settlement at Marouke, in New Guinea, and whether any representations have been made by Queensland on the subject; and what action he proposes to take.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

In reply to an inquiry from the Foreign Office, the Netherlands Minister has informed His Majesty's Government that deportation to a colony is unknown in the penal code of the Netherlands or its colonies. The rumour, he states, probably originated from the fact that, in accordance with the usual policy of employing convicts on public works in the Netherlands Indies, a certain number have been temporarily despatched from Java with the necessary staff and materials to Marouke, in New Guinea, to construct a Residency at that place. The substance of this Note has been telegraphed to the Governor General, for communication to the Governor of Queensland.