§ SIR BRAMPTON GURDON (Norfolk, N.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to his despatch addressed to the Governor of Queensland on the 30th August, 1902, whether he can inform the House as to the steps taken by His Majesty's Government to safeguard the interests of Pacific Islanders who have become residents of Queensland, and who will be liable, under the Pacific Islands Labourers Act, to exclusion from the privileges acquired by them as subjects of the Crown.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain) The necessity of dealing carefully with the interests of Pacific Islanders who have become resident in Queensland has been strongly pressed on the Commonwealth Government, and I am confident that they will carry out the law in a liberal spirit. A Despatch from the Governor General on the subject is on its way. I may add that I am not aware that any of these labourers have become subjects of the Crown.