§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in Australia an objection exists to the terms Colonies and Colonial as applied to the Commonwealth or its component parts; and whether he will take steps to secure that in future in official documents and in oral references in Parliament on behalf of His Majesty's Government the employment of such terms as indicated will be avoided?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)Yes, Sir; there is no doubt that such an objection exists, but certainly in the Colonial Office and, so far as I am aware, in all formal communications with or references to Australia, the practice is well settled of making use of the correct expressions Commonwealth or States as the case may be.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHMay I ask for an answer to the second part of the question in reference to official documents and oral references in Parliament? I hope the hon. Gentleman will consider that important.
§ Colonel SEELYWell, Sir, as to the substantive there is a synonym, but if the ton. Member will furnish me with an adjective to substitute for Colonial I will be glad.