§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any decision has yet been arrived at in the matter of permitting the Australian branches of the Royal Mint to issue gold ingots for exportation.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHFrom inquiries made at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, as well as in London, there appears to be considerable doubt as to how far gold ingots issued from the branch mints in Australia with a mint mark would be in demand. In view of this uncertainty the present time is not considered favourable for introducing a change of such importance pending the establishment of Federal Government.