§ Mr. MACMASTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that the United States Government have named three members of an International Joint Commission which is hereafter to deal with all issues between Canada and the United States, independently of Downing Street, and that such Commission will exercise both legislative and judicial functions in respect of boundary waters and all other questions involving the rights, obligations, and interests of the United States and the Dominion of Canada, either in relation to each other or to their respective inhabitants, if both Governments agree to refer such questions to the Commission for decision; and, if so, whether he has any Papers to lay upon the Table?
Mr. HARCOURTThe President of the United States of America has appointed three Commissioners under the Treaty of 11th January, 1909. The hon. Gentleman appears to have misapprehended the scope of the Treaty, which does not provide for the settlement of all questions independently of Downing Street, inasmuch as Article 10 stipulates for the consent of His Majesty the King. The full text is printed in the Treaty Series Command Paper 5,223, and it is not proposed to lay more Papers.