48 and 49. Colonel GRIFFITHSasked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the feeling in favour of the inauguration of an Imperial Chamber or Council, he will formally ask the various Dominions to submit their proposals and also appoint a small committee to investigate the matter generally; and (2) if he will consider the advisability of taking steps to arrange for an Imperial Convention by direct request to the Dominions concerned instead of waiting to discuss the matter at the next Imperial Conference, and thus save the delay which would arise by waiting for the next Imperial Conference before coming to a decision in this matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)This subject, I need not say, is engaging the serious attention both of His Majesty's Government and of the Dominions, but it it impossible to make any statement on the subject at present.
50. Colonel GRIFFITHSasked the Prime Minister, with reference to the intention to summon an Imperial Convention to consider the question of the government of Ireland in relation to the better organisation of the Empire, whether he is aware that if Australia were desirous of electing representatives to such Convention an Act to effect this object must be passed through each of the six State Parliaments, and time allowed to candidates to express their views to the electors; and, in view of this, will he consider the desirability of communicating with the Dominions in order that the necessary preliminaries to the Convention may be taken without 33 undue delay, so that the Convention may assemble at as early a date as possible after the conclusion of the War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am informed that legislation such as my hon. Friend suggests is not necessary.