Reasons for Barring Mr. Brooke From Sarawak

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5285, 23 December 1946, Page 5

Reasons for Barring Mr. Brooke From Sarawak

LONDON, Dec. 21. In the debate on the adjournment the Conservatives continued to press the Colonial Secretary, Mr A. Creech-Jones, for a new definition of the position of Mr. Anthony Brooke and his hope to re-enter Sarawak. Flight-Lieutenant W. Teeling accused the Minister of attempting to protect the Colonial Office from being shown up as responsible for a series of "appalling muddles." ITe added: "It Is gross injustice to prevent a British suhject from going anywhere he likes in the British Empire." Colonel Stanley said Mr CreechJones had made the grave charge that Mr. Brooke in Sarawak' would he a threat to security. At the same time they were told that opjiosition to the cession of Sarawak came only from a small ' unrepresentative minority. How then cotild Mr. Brooke threaten security? The Minister, in reply, reiterated the argument that the Government had responded to the request to take over Sarawak and acted only after due consultation with the opinion in the eountry. It should now he allowed to go forward in a period of stahility. When the Government learned -that..Mr. Brooke intended to go to Sarawak, said Mr. Creech-Jones, it deeided that it should ascertain what would be the likely effect. The Governor made it clear that Mi\ Brooke's presence would have a disturbing effect, because the majority of the Sarawak's people were easily led by.false reports and fear was easily engenderecl among them. There was risk of violence and lawlessness. Mr. Creech-Jones- concludedj by emphasising that Mr. Brooke would not be allowed to enter Sarawak.