BRITISH SETTLERS IN VICTORIA.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20906, 13 July 1933, Page 9

BRITISH SETTLERS IN VICTORIA.

♦ COMPLAINTS OF TREATMENT. QIESTJONS in HO|;SE OF COMMONS. LONDON. July 11. Mr J. H. Thomas (Secretary of State for the Dominions), in answer to questions in the House of Commons about complaints by British settlers in Victoria, said he was pressing the matter, and expected a consultation between the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments in the near future. Mr W. Lunn (Labour, Rothwell): Has not the premier of Victoria (Sir Stanley Argyle) persistently delayed his Government in its attempts to come to a decision on the subject? As there will be a debate here on the subject within a fortnight, will you I press for a decision? Mr Thomas: I deplore the delay, for which J see no justification, and I %vfi pressing to hfjvp the matter dealt with. Mr J. Maxton (Labour, Bridgeton): Has the British Government decided its own responsibilities in the matter? Mr Thomas: I have made up my mind that these persons are entitled to cqnsideratiqrt, and J am pressing home their responsibility on those who, I believe, are responsible. I could not be expected to say more. BRITISH GOVERNMENT ACTING. PRESSURE FfEING APPLIED. SYDNEY, July 11. The subject of thp Victorian settlers was also discussed in the House of Commons on June 1, when Mr Thomas undertook to inform the House of the Victorian Government's depisiqi} pn the royal commission's report concerning British settlers ivhq cqmpjained of their treatment in Victoria. Mr tyl?stpn said the men went out on the joint responsibility of the British and Victorian Governments, ana asked what steps were being taken tP remedy the wrong done them. j Mr Thomas replied that he did n ot i pdmit thai the British Government was responsible for any wrong. On July 4, tyr Thomas replying to Mr Lunn in the House of Commons, said he was still in a position to make a statement, but in h|s ppinipn unnecessary delay had occurred, and he was pressing the matter as far as he cpuld.