§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to the removal of existing uncertainties, he has any objection to stating the precise purport, scope, and operation of the proposed compromise clause of the Australian Commonwealth Bill referring to appeals to the Privy Council.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe effect of the proposed compromise is to prevent any appeal to Her Majesty in Council on any question of the class specified in the Amendment of which notice has been given, unless with the consent of the Governments concerned.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that in the negotiations the Queensland delegate was not consulted?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo; that is not exactly true. Of course, the particular communication in the first instance was with the delegates of the four colonies who had objected to the Amendment which we proposed to the original Bill. As soon as we came to an agreement with the four delegates in question the new agreement was communicated to the Queensland delegate.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it a fact that complaint was made on behalf of Queensland that its delegate was not consulted?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo such complaint reached me.