IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12883, 4 August 1906, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. ' THE COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE. COLONLAL REPRESENTATION THEREON. •„• ' , . LONDON, August 3. -'■' (Received August 4, at 8.31 a.'m.) In the House of Commons Major Seely urged that representatives of- the, colonies, •India, and of theV Opposition be included in the Committee of Defence. Mr Balfour said tnat since the colonies would never give Britain complete control of'their-forces it was lesp necessary to give them permanent representation, though they ought to be able to command a place whenever they desired to co-operate. The wisdom of the Opposition being represented ! was doubtful. .■;""'.. . ' .

Sir.. H. Campbell-Banncrman.. 'declared that the Committee had nothing to do with the fundamental military and naval policy of the Government. The colonies could already be consulted whenever desirable, or whenever they desired. NO FEAR OF OVERLAPPING. BILLS PUT THROUGH. LONDON, August 5. {Received August 4, at 7.43 a.m.) , Before the Appropriation Bill was read a second time, the Prime Minister incidentally declared that his former fears lest the Committee of Defence should encroach on the Cabinet's responsibility had been allayed. His experience of the Committee was most satisfactory. Mr Lloyd-George's Home Industries Census Bill was read a second time, and the Colonial Marriages Bill a third time. MAIL CONTRACT RATIFIED. MELBOURNE, August 4. (Received August 4, at 9.64 a.m.) The House of Representatives ratified the amendments in the mail contract made by the Senate, as they were not important. Sir W. Lyne announced that it was his intention to propose a considerable increase in the vote under the Bounties Bill.