Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in possession of the particulars relating to the closing up and selling off of the goods and effects of the native co-operative company, named the Toga ma'a Toga Kautaha in the Tongan group, Western Pacific, and of the action arising, which was taken by the company against the Consul-General at Tonga, Mr. W. Telfer Campbell, and two other European officials; whether the action was decided against the prosecuting company with costs; whether he has any evidence to show that false evidence was given to shield the defendants; whether the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir H. F. May, went down to Tonga, and, as a result of an inquiry, reversed the decision, gave permission for the Kautaha to be started again, and compelled the Consul-General, Mr. Campbell, to apologise to the Tongan King George II.; and whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Reports relating to the trial, and to the visit and decision of Sir H. F. May as mentioned in this question?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Secretary of State for the Colonies has received a report of the proceedings taken by Mr. Cameron and other members of the Kautaha against Mr. Campbell and others; the action was dismissed with costs; he is not aware of any ground for the suggestion that false evidence was given for the defendants; the High Commissioner has acquiesced in the proposal to permit the establishment of a co-operative society on the lines of the old Kautaha, on condition as to audit and control by the Tongan Government; Mr. Campbell has not been called upon to apologise to the King for any action taken by him in connection with the Kautaha, but merely for injudicious language used by him during an interview with the King. Sir H. May's confidential report on his visit to Tonga, which deals with other matters besides the question of the Kautaha is not suitable for publication, but my hon. Friend can see full reports concerning the Kautaha, printed in the Tongan Gazettes, if he will call at the Colonial Office.
Mr. POINTERAre we to understand from the reply that the papers have not been published because of some language he used to the King.
§ Colonel SEELYI do not think we can draw that inference. There are official papers which had better be perused by my hon. Friend in private at the Colonial Office.
Mr. POINTERasked whether the boundaries of the lands on Ocean Island, Gilbert Group, Western Pacific, which the Pacific Islands Company, now Pacific Phosphates Company, were by the terms of their lease (1900–01) permitted to occupy, have been yet clearly defined and marked out by the Government; whether the lands not in this area have been thoroughly inspected by mining and chemical experts in order to ascertain their real value; and whether the Government intend to advertise these lands and take effective measures to obtain by rent or royalty the proper value for the same; and whether the right hon. Gentleman has any official information as to the payment offered by the Pacific Phosphates Company for the right to mine these valuable phosphate lands?
§ Colonel SEELYThe mining areas of the Pacific Phosphates Company on Ocean Island have not yet been definitely marked out; there will be no lands available outside this area for mining operations by other persons, since the lands in question are required by the natives, and the Pacific Phosphates Company have the sole right of removing phosphates from the island; the payment to be made by the company in connection with the proposed mining areas is still under the consideration of the Secretary of State.
§ Colonel SEELYI do not think I could answer that off-hand. I communicated with the Colonial Office in regard to the answer I have given, and I could not definitely say whether it refers to extension, but I think so. Perhaps the hon. Member will put the question down.