§ MR. FLYNN (Cork Co., N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Lord Northcote, Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth, in opening the Federal Parliament on Wednesday, declared that preferential tariffs would secure to Australia an immense and stable market; and, if so, will he say if the Governor-General made this declaration with the consent and approval of His Majesty's Government; and, if not, what communication will the Government address to Lord Northcote.
§ MR. LYTTELTONI have seen the statement referred to by the hon. Member in the Press. The Ministers of the Crown 303 in Australia are solely responsible for the speech made by the Governor-General at the opening of the Legislature, and I see no reason for addressing any communication to Lord Northcote on the subject.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)May I ask whether, in view of the fact that partisan references to controversial topics are never included in the Speech from the Throne in this country, the right hon. Gentleman will call the attention of the Governor-General to that fact.
§ MR. LYTTELTONI have no reason to alter my Answer.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer my Question and save me the trouble of bringing the matter up on the Estimates?
§ [No answer was returned.]
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDAll right.