§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can lay upon the Table of the House the reasons why the Royal Assent was withheld from the Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1903, New Zealand.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The Act referred to by the hon. Member is an Act of great complexity, involving questions not only of detail but of constitutional principle. It has received the most careful consideration of the Departments of Government concerned, and this has necessarily involved considerable delay. I hope to be able very shortly to advise His Majesty to assent to the Act, and to lay Papers which will indicate the difficulties attendant on this matter.