SIR GILBERT PARKERI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether ho can now say when the New Hebrides Convention between England and France will be proclaimed; and whether the Government has received any communication from the Australian authorities complaining of the disabilities under which the British traders labour owing to delay in proclamation.
§ MR. CHURCHILLHis Majesty's Government have been for some time aware, both from communications of the Australian Government and from other sources, that British subjects in the New Hebrides labour under a commercial disadvantage, because they are forbidden to supply arms, ammunition, and liquor to natives, while French citizens are not subject to such a prohibition. They are in communication with the French Government on the question of the prohibition of the export of liquor, etc., to the New Hebrides. With regard to the proclamation of the Convention, I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Andrew's Burghs.
SIR GILBERT PARKER:asked whether it was the case that the proclamation could not be made until the Pacific Islanders (Amendment) Act was passed.
§ MR. CHURCHILLsaid that was a legal point he could not answer without notice.