§ MR. MASSIE (Wiltshire, Cricklade)To ask the Under Secretary of State the Colonies whether he is aware that at a meeting of the State Council of the Native State of Selangor, held at Kuala Lumpur on 13th August, 1906, a sum of 7,500 dollars was appropriated, at the instance of the British Resident, towards the endowment of a bishopric of Singapore, a British Colony; and whether he will take steps to prevent this taxation of the Mohammedan and Chinese population of a native State in aid of a foreign Christian institution.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The new diocese for which this sum was voted includes the Federated Malay States as well as the Straits Settlements. In accordance with the Secretary of State's instructions, it was carefully explained to the Sultan and the native Members of Council that the proposal to grant this sum was in no way pressed upon them, and that it was entirely within their discretion to make or refuse the grant. The native members unanimously approved the vote. The Secretary of State as at present advised sees no reason for interference.