MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade to which self-governing colonies have His Majesty's Government, in fulfilment of their obligation under the Brussels Convention, signed 5th March, 1902, submitted the Brussels Sugar Convention, in order to afford them the opportunity of giving their adhesion to it; when was that Convention thus submitted to each of the colonies in question; what replies have since been received from these colonies and from the Government of India with regard 451 to this question; and does the Commonwealth of Australia, which on the 10th March had refused to adhere to the Convention, still maintain that refusal.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe Brussels Convention was duly submitted to all the self-governing colonies in a despatch dated the 21st of April, 1902. No further communication has been received from the Commonwealth of Australia since March, and the only other reply received from the self-governing colonies has been one from the Government of New Zealand intimating that they do not desire to adhere. I understand that the Government of India have not as yet signified their wishes in the matter.