§ Mr. ALDENasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in reply to the letter of the Textile Trade section of the London Chamber of Commerce in regard to the feather trade; whether the report of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce pointing out that the wild birds of the Commonwealth ought to be preserved in order to keep in check myriads of noxious insects, of which the birds are the natural enemies, is endorsed by other Colonies and British Dependencies; and, if so, whether he will undertake, as speedily as possible, to introduce into Parliament a Bill prohibiting the smuggling of plumage of wild birds into Great Britain, when the exportation of such feathers from our Colonies and Dependencies is contrary to the laws of these countries?
Mr. HARCOURTI have not seen the report to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is of course recognised by all Governments that birds which destroy noxious1886W insects should be protected. As I informed my hon. Friend on the 4th July, the question whether any and, if so, what action should be taken for the restriction of the trade in plumage is under consideration.