§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now announce the result of his inquiries into the alleged importation of intoxicating liquors into the New Hebrides.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State communicated with MR. Deakin, who stated that the Proclamation mentioned in the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 23rd April prohibits the exportation of intoxi- 1222 cating liquors from any port in Australia to the New Hebrides, except under such conditions as will ensure their being for the legitimate use of white settlers only, and in moderate quantities; and that the Customs officials in Australia have been fully instructed to that effect. It was possible, however, that liquor might be taken to New Caledonia from Europe via Australian ports, ultimately for the New Hebrides, and in that case it could not be reached by the Proclamation of the Commonwealth Government. MR. Deakin has promised to cause inquiries to be made into the matter on his return to Australia.