§ MR. J. E. HOGAN (Tipperary Mid.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can state the terms and conditions under which the Northern Territory is held and administered by the Government of South Australia? Whether the Imperial Government retains the right of resuming the direct control of the Northern Territory? Whether it is proposed to exercise this right, in view of the stagnant and unprogressive condition of 224 the territory for some years past? And, whether the Colonial Office has been asked to sanction a scheme for improving and developing the territory under the auspices of a chartered company?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.Power is reserved to Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, to revoke or amend the letters patent under which what is known as the Northern Territory was added to the Colony of South Australia, but her Majesty's Government have no intention of tendering any advice to Her Majesty on the subject at the present moment.