§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the intention of two German steamship lines to endeavour to capture the British carrying trade between New York and Australasia; and in such case, if he will take advantage of the presence in this country of the Imperial statesmen from Greater Britain to confer with them as to the best means of counteracting an enterprise calculated to involve a rate war unfavourable to the manufacturers and artisans of this country.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI have seen statements to the general effectindicated in the first part of the Question. As to the last part I can only say that various matters affecting British and Foreign shipping will come up for discussion at the Imperial Conference now sitting.