§ SIR C. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is risk of failure to accomplish Australian Federation by reason of the Legislative Council in New South Wales having inserted in the Federal Enabling Bill, agreed upon by the Colonial Prime Ministers, amendments which the Government of New South Wales have felt themselves unable, having regard to the opinion of the Colonies generally, to accept, and 332 which have been rejected by the Legislative Assembly?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The right honourable Member will have seen by the Press telegram that a Conference is about to be held between the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales respecting the amendments referred to. It would be premature to express an opinion as to the probable effect of the action of the Legislative Council.