§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government has determined to give favourable effect to the representations which have been made by the Hon. Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, the Hon. Robert Reid, Minister of Defence of Victoria, specially delegated by his 1423 Government, and the Hon. Sir Thomas M'llwraith, Chief Secretary of Queensland, supported by the Agents General of other leading Colonies, for the amendment of Section 3 of "The Australasian Customs Act, 1873," which in its present form is limited to the Australasian Colonies alone, and thus prevents Dependencies of the Empire distant from each other from concluding mutually advantageous and preferential trading arrangements with each other; and if the Imperial Government intends to be represented at the forthcoming Empire Trade Conference, convened by the Dominion of Canada; and, if so, by whom?
§ MR. S. BUXTON (who replied)said: Her Majesty's Government are considering the matter in conjunction with the Law Officers of the Crown. Her Majesty's Government intend to be represented at the Conference of Colonial Representatives which will meet at Ottawa next month to discuss the question of cable and steam communication between Canada and Australasia, and the subject referred to by the hon. Member. I am happy to say that Lord Jersey has consented to attend the Conference on our behalf.