§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked whether one of the objects of the Abor expedition is to lay down a frontier between British and Chinese territory or spheres of influence; whether any communications on this subject have taken place between the Government of India and the Chinese authorities; and whether it is proposed as a result of the expedition to extend the present frontier of British India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe object of the expedition is precisely stated in No. 19 of the Papers presented to Parliament. No communications on this subject have taken place between the Government of India and the Chinese authorities. As to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, having regard to the fact that no frontier has yet been defined, it is impossible that the expedition should result in the extension of something which does not exist. But I can give him an emphatic assurance without reserve that it is not intended, as a result of the expedition, to increase the area administered by the Government of India.
§ Sir W. BYLESDid I understand rightly that it was not the object of this expedition to lay down a frontier?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf the hon. Member refers to No. 19 of the Papers presented he will see that one of the objects which it is hoped to achieve by the expedition is the laying down of a frontier.
§ Sir W. BYLESasked whether, at the time when, the late Mr. Williamson met with his death in the Abor country, he had received any instructions or permission from the Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal to inform certain of the Abors that they would be expected to pay a poll tax to the Government of India, and, if so, whether such a tax had ever been demanded from them before; whether in making such a demand Mr. Williamson was acting with the sanction of the Government of India; and, if so, what was the justification for levying the tax?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State in Council in 1909 authorised the issue of instructions to Mr. Williamson to inform the Abors that all tribesmen settling in the plains must pay the house or poll tax, which was already being paid by some of the settlers. Proposals for the tour on which these instructions were to be carried out were still under the consideration of the Government of India when Mr. Williamson started on the expedition on which he met his death. There is therefore no reason to suppose that the demands were ever made; but they are justified by the fact that the Abors had engaged, by agreements entered into in 1862, to pay such taxes.
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf the hon. Member reads the Papers which have been laid before Parliament he will see fully stated therein all the circumstances in which Mr. Williamson went into the Abor country.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHave the Abors ever fulfilled their engagements of 1862?
§ Mr. MONTAGUOh, yes. Some of the Abors and some of the settlers regularly pay the Poll Tax.