§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it was with the knowledge and sanction of the Colonial Office that the Governor of Western Australia, on sailing for England, left the petition to the Queen from the residents of the goldfields districts for the consideration of local Ministers; and, whether the usual course is to transmit such petitions direct to Her Majesty.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have no official information in regard to the petition referred to. The proper and constitutional course in regard to all petitions from the self-governing colonies is for the Governor to submit them to his Ministers and forward them to the Secretary of State with their remarks.