§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the currency complications arising in India and in the Chinese war indemnity payments, the Government will consider the advisability of suggesting an International Conference to confer and report upon the expediency of a general restoration of a bi-metallic currency.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am quite in accord with the hon. Gentleman that very grave inconvenience, and even worse than inconvenience, has been caused in connection with the Chinese indemnity by the heavy fall in the value of silver, but I do not think that any good would arise were it possible to take the step he suggests.
§ MR. FLYNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that both in India and in Europe all interest in the bi-metallic craze has died out?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURwas understood to reply in the negative.