§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lord Hopetoun, in sending in the first instance for Sir William Lyne to form the first Federal Administration of Australia, although Mr. Barton, who eventually became the first Prime Minister, was designated for the position by public opinion, was acting on his own initiative or on the advice of the Colonial Office.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINLord Hopetoun acted on his own initiative in this matter, but I have since approved his action.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAnd the colony has disapproved of his action.