§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any confirmation of a speech having been made in New Zealand by Mr. Seddon, stating that, if the United Kingdom does not grant certain of the produce of New Zealand preferential fiscal treatment over such produce from foreign sources, New Zealand will enter into reciprocity fiscal treaties with foreign countries; whether the Government of this country has already recognised the right of the self governing colonies to enter into such reciprocity treaties with foreign nations; and whether, if so, this involves the right of foreign countries to regard our self-governing colonies as fiscal entities in all regarding import and export duties.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I have received no confirmation of the speech referred to. Reciprocal arrangements have been in a few special cases negotiated by the Imperial Government on behalf of colonies 1182 with foreign Powers, but such arrangements have not in any way impaired the right of such colonies to make such arrangements as they deemed fit with each other or with this country.
In reply to a further question by Mr. Labouchere—
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINsaid no arrangements can be made between the colonies and foreign countries except through the Imperial Government.