§ MR. GOURLEY (for Mr. BATES)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he would take into consideration the feasibility of concluding a consular convention with the United States Government in order that disputes between masters of British ships and their crews may be dealt with by the British Consul in a similar manner as is done by the Consul of every other Power, not even excluding China and Japan?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,in reply, said, that all the Powers whose Consuls possessed the right of adjudging such cases in the United States did so under a Special Convention. Negotiations were, however, in progress in the direction indicated by the hon. Gentleman's Question; but certain difficulties with regard to jurisdiction had to be encountered which could only be met by legislation. The subject had been for some time under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and they hoped to be able to deal with it satisfactorily before long.