Mr. NEWDEGATEasked whether the Secretary for the Colonies has any official information showing that a Member of the Australian Parliament, declaring himself to be empowered by his Government, is at Washington in order to discuss the primaries of a reciprocity arrangement between Australia and the United States; whether, in view of the fact that the official discussions connected with the recent Canada-United States reciprocity agreement were prefaced by earlier approaches of a somewhat similar character, His Majesty's Ambassador is keeping the Government advised of the progress of affairs and the British and Imperial interests involved; and whether, in the event of no such representations having yet been received, he will undertake to communicate at once with Mr. Bryce?
Mr. HARCOURTI have no information to the effect referred to by the hon. Member. His Majesty's Ambassador would, of course, inform His Majesty's Government if he was aware of any such negotiations taking place.