London, Dec. 17.
A petition on behalf of the Govern ment, Parliament and people of the State of Western Australia, for leave {to withdraw from the Commonwealth jof Australia and for the restoration lof their former status as a separate self-governing colony within the British Empire, was presented to-day in both Houses of Parliament.
The petition consists of a scroll 26 {fect long and encased in a handsome polished. Jarrah casket. Tt was de~ posited in the petition bag behind the Speaker's chair and. will be examined in due course of time by ithe Public Petitions Committee.
In the House of <ords, the Marques of Aberdeen said that the right
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.