§ 54. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British representative on the League of Nations to ask the Mandates Committee to cause inquiry to be made into the situation which exists in the ex-German colony of New Guinea?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BAKERHaving regard to the serious state of unrest both among the white and the native population, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider that decision?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir: in no circumstances could I think of taking a different decision from that which was indicated in my first answer. New Guinea is administered by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, and I cannot conceive how the hon. Member comes to suggest that we should, as it were, bring the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia as defendant before the League of Nations.