§ MR. ALDEN (Middlesex, Tottenham)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any instructions have been issued to the Governor of the Orange Free State relative to the nomination of the members of the Upper House under the new constitution, in view of the fact that this Chamber, being appointed for four years, should be representative of all shades of political opinion in the State.
§ MR. CHURCHILLIn accordance with the precedent of the Transvaal, the Governor will be instructed to consult the Secretary of State before making any appointment, and the Secretary of State is confident that the Governor will exercise the greatest care in submitting his recommendations.
§ MR. MACKARNESSasked whether it was intended to appoint a Second Chamber of the same political complexion as the majority in the Lower House, or the reverse.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI can have no knowledge of what will be the political complexion of the Lower Chamber until after the election has taken place.
§ MR. MACKARNESSBut when that is ascertained—
§ MR. CHURCHILLNo, I think, following the precedent of the Transvaal, the nominations for the Second Chamber will be made public before the elections take place for the Lower House.