MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)On behalf of the hon. Member for Suffolk, Lowestoft Division, I beg to ask the 33 Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Companies Death Duties Act of 1899 (New South Wales) affects the interests of British companies carrying on the business of mining, pastoral, or agricultural products or timber getting, in the colony of New South Wales, and particularly as on the death of any shareholder wherever resident or domiciled an ad valorem duty varying from 2 per cent. to 10 per cent. is leviable by the New South Wales Government, not upon the estate of the deceased shareholder but upon the property of the company, he proposes, on the part of Her Majesty's Government, to make any representations to the New South Wales Government with a view to the repeal of the Act.
§ Mr. J. CHAMBERLAINI am informed that representations on the subject of this legislation are being made by those interested through the Agent General for New South Wales, and I have no doubt they will be carefully considered by the Colonial Government.