HC Deb 26 June 1900 vol 84 cc1129-30
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the action of the Governor of New South Wales in taking part in the controversy arising out of the amendment of the Commonwealth Bill, and whether it is constitutional or in accordance with precedent that the representative of the Queen should take sides in discussions where differences of opinion arise among the people and in the Parliament of the colony of which he is Governor.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have seen the press telegram to which no doubt the hon. Member refers, but I am unable to say whether it accurately represents what the Governor said.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to answer that portion of the question which contains the inquiry whether the intervention of a Governor is constitutional and with precedent?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

It is rather a wide question. I should say the answer depends a good deal upon the nature of the intervention and the exact language used by the Governor. No doubt it is unconstitutional for a Governor to take part in what may be called a party controversy, but I am happy to say that the question of the Commonwealth Bill has not been a party controversy in any part of Australia. But, after all, these questions are purely hypothetical, because up to the present time I have no information as to the Governor having used any language at all which bears on the subject.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the statement in question is true?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Then I will inquire myself.