HC Deb 10 February 1908 vol 183 cc1407-8
SIR GILBERT PARKER

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether under new instructions issued to the High Commissioner of the Pacific under the New Hebrides Convention, any penalty or punishment may be inflicted for ill-treatment of Natives other than the termination of contract.

MR. CHURCHILL

It is unnecessary to make any provision in instructions from His Majesty's Government for the punishment of British subjects ill-treating natives, as such punishment is already prescribed, both by the Convention of the 20th October, 1906, and by the Pacific Order in Council, 1893, as the hon. Gentleman will not fail to perceive if he reads Articles LIV. (1) and LV (1). of the Convention, and Articles 23 and 49 of the Pacific Order in Council, 1893.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Do these articles exactly cover cases of ill-treatment of the natives, or only cases of injury?

MR. CHURCHILL

I am informed that they cover such cases completely. If the hon. Gentleman will read them he will be able to judge if that is so.