MR. SWIFT MAC MEILLI beg to. ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he or the Government have or have had in their possession a copy of a pamphlet by the right hon. Sir Samuel Way, Chief Justice of South Australia and Lieutenant Governor of that Colony, in advocacy of the power of appeal to the 581 Privy Council from the decisions of the Supreme Court of Australia, to be established under the provisions of the Commonwealth Bill, when their decisions interpret Australian Constitutions under that Bill; and, if so, whether a copy of this pamphlet will be circulated among Members before the Second Reading of the Commonwealth Bill.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo pamphlet has been received, but a printed paper marked "confidential," and enclosed in a confidential despatch, containing observations by Sir S. Way on the provisions of the draft Bill, was received at the Colonial Office in February last. It would be necessary to ask his consent before the publication of his confidential observations.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs not Sir Samuel Way Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of one of the colonies?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINYes.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAnd he is absolutely against the proposal. Why keep it secret?
§ [No answer was given.]