§ SIR SAMUEL WILSON (Portsmouth)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether, during the visit of the Colonial Representatives to the approaching Colonial Conference, the Government will take into consideration the question of arranging for a special Conference between Representatives of the United Kingdom, and of the principal Colonies of the Empire, on the question of Imperial Federation of the 1602 United Kingdom and the Colonies in its political aspect?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)I understand that there is no necessity for any special arrangements for the discussion of the question of Imperial Federation, as that will be provided for, independently of the Colonial Conference, by those influential persons who have taken an active interest in the subject; but, in any case, the terms of the despatch inviting the Colonies to the Conference preclude Her Majesty's Government from taking the action suggested.