§ *SIR J. COLOMBI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has official cognizance of the fact that the Premier of Now Zealand has submitted to the Parliament of that colony proposals for providing naval and military forces for the general service of the Empire in war; whether they involve joint responsibility and expenditure by the Imperial Government and the Governments of Australasian colonies; what is the general outline of such proposals; and what has been the action, if any, taken by the Parliament of New Zealand upon them.
§ Mr. J. CHAMBERLAINI have received through the Governor of New Zealand a memorandum by his Premier on the subject to which the hon. Member refers. It is in the nature of suggestions for discussion by a conference of Imperial and Colonial representatives, and not of a definite scheme. It is too long to summarise in answer to a question, but a fairly accurate summary will be found in a Reuter's message which appeared in the morning papers of 23rd July.† I have 775 no information as to what action, if any, has been taken upon it by the New Zealand Parliament.