HC Deb 06 February 1908 vol 183 c1072
SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)

On behalf of the hon. Member for Durham, I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before the Convention of 1906 was signed, whereby Canada adhered to the Treaty of 1894, between Great Britain and Japan, the effect of that treaty, and especially its effect in allowing the unrestricted immigration of Japanese into Canada, had been pointed out to the Canadian Government in any communication from the Imperial Government; what was the nature of such communication; and what was the reply thereto of the Canadian Government.

MR. CHURCHILL

In 1905 when the Canadian Government raised the question of their adherence to the treaty with Japan the late Secretary of State inquired whether they were prepared to adhere to the whole treaty without reserve or wished to adhere subject to similar limitations respecting immigration and other matters to those stipulated when Queensland adhered. The Canadian Government replied that they were prepared to adhere absolutely and without reserve.