PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
+885
17 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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NATURALISATION.
At present the requirements as to naturalisation varied in different parts of the Empire. Moreover, if naturalisation were granted, say, in New Zealand, it would only apply to New Zealand; and similarly in the case of the other self-governing parts of the Empire. It would be of great advantage if the requirements were made uniform, and if naturalisation, wherever granted, availed throughout the Empire, subject, however, to the right of any self-governing dependency to impose special conditions or restrictions if it thought fit. A resolution would be submitted by New Zealand on this subject.
AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.
The question of increasing the efficiency of the Australian squadron would also be brought forward, and to this end the question of increasing the contributions from the Commonwealth sud from New Zealand would be considered. He was not prepared to say at present what actual course he would take, but he would be guided largely by the facts that would necessarily crop up in connection with it. He favoured supporting and strengthening the British navy.
THE SOUTH SRA ISLANDS.
Regarding the islands of the Pacific, owing to the geographical position of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, both were intimately concerned in all matters pertaining to or affecting the Pacific Islands. Consequently it was of importance that these Governments should be consulted in any convention or treaty entered into by the Imperial Government with any foreign Power relating to these islands. That course
was not adopted in the case of the New Hebrides convention with France, and the result had been unsatisfactory both to the Commonwealth and to this colony. This general question would be raised at the conference. He had that morning laid upon the table of the House all the papers relating to this matter, and so far as he was aware, there was no alteration in the condition of affairs regarding the islands.
RESERVATION OF BILLS.
With reference to the reservation of bills for the Royal assent, the existing practice was unsatisfactory as unnecessarily restricting the legislative power of the self-governing dependencies. There had been delays which only required representation to the Imperial Government to have an improvement made and without in any way weakening the position. In the opinion of the Government the right of disallowance by the Crown was, of course, necessary, and the Royal instructions had been modified to ensure this being done without restricting the recognised powers of the colonies.
TREATIES BETWEEN COLONIES.
Then as to the legislative powers of the colonies to make reciprocal tariff treaties with one another. The power of the self-governing dependencies was not very clearly defined. The Government was advised that in the case of New Zealand full powers existed, subject only to the treaty obligations of the Imperial Government, and they had acted accordingly in the case of the This Reciprocal and Preferential Trade Act, which had been in operation for several years. general question would be raised as also the important question whether the dependencies should be bound by Imperial treaties on which they had not been consulted. (Hear, hear.)
IMMIGRATION.
Various schemes of emigration from the United Kingdom had been suggested with provision in some cases for financial assistance from the Imperial Goverument. The Government of New Zealand was of opinion that no such schemes should be countenanced or encouraged by the Imperial Government without the concurrence of the dependency concerned, and a motion to this effect would be submitted to the conference.
RECIPROCITY REGARDING SURVEYORS.
In regard to this matter he thought the time had arrived when the barriers that existed at present in regard to surveyors should be removed, and that there should be reciprocity in connection with them throughout the Empire. A mutual agreement should be come to. This would be another step towards cementing the bonds that unite us, and would tend towards the cohesion of the Empire. The question would be raised in the interest of the profession of surveyors.
UNIVERSAL PENNY POSTAGE.
The question of universal penny postage would be placed before responsible respresentative men, and he firmly believed that its adoption would be a great advantage to the world at large. Canada had already adopted the system and so had Great Britain, and at the Conference he hoped he would have the assistance of the representatives of England and of Canada. He had only attempted to give a brief skotch of these matters and of the lines he would go upon. He must, as the colony's representative, be trusted to urge what was in his judgment in the best interests of our country, and while doing so necessarily must have flexibility in the course be would pursue, but upon his return he would ask, and hoped he would receive, the advice and co-operation of members of Parliament generally when submitting the Conference report for the ratification of Parliament. He believed the matters to be dealt with at the Conference would be of great importance, and in the interests of the colony and of the Empire generally. (Loud cheers.)
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THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.
Mr. Massey said it was very satisfactory to hear the statement they had just listened to regarding the many matters to be brought before the Imporial Conference. He did not intend to refer to the whole of the subjects mentioned. In regard to the Imperial Council, he thought there was very little difference of opinion in respect to the feelings of the people of this country towards it, and of the people of the Empire as a whole. As to the Australasian squadron, he believed the people of the colony were of the opinion that the contribution which we paid at the present time was not nearly sufficient to induce the squadron being kept in a state of efficiency. He thought a large majority of the people of New Zealand were of the opinion that it would be in the best interests of the country if we increased our contribution on the understanding that the squadron was kept in such a state of efficiency that they could depend upon it to protect our shipping in the unfortunate event occurring of the Empire being involved in war. He was somewhat surprised to hear the Promier mention that there had been some dissatisfaction regarding the Royal assent to bills,
Sir Joseph Ward: I said reservation.
Mr. Massey However, it is a somewhat dolicate subject, and I think the Conference will take care that the Royal prerogative is not interfered with.
Sir Joseph Ward: I will see so myself. I hope I was not misunderstood in regard to this question. I am one who holds that the prerogative of the Crown should exist, but in connection with the system of reservation of consent to bills, I think that is a matter which not only this country but others have experienced.
Mr. James Allen: Do you intend to allude at this Conference to the question of Chinese, or to the navigation and marriage laws, or the question of taxation?
He
Sir Joseph Ward said he had only given an indication of the principal matters to be considered. The Chineso question would doubtless be brought up, but at that moment the hon. member knew as well as he did that this country had legislation which prohibited the Chinese coming into this country, excepting on the imposition of a poll-tax of 1007. might say at once he was strongly in favour, and he was not prepared to take action before the conference in regard to it, but if the question was brought up, he would be prepared to maintain the existing system in the interests of our own race. In regard to the navigation laws, there was to be a separate conference in London, and his colleague the Minister of Marine had asked him to attend it, and there he would be very glad to go into the whole subject of the shipping laws. On the question of taxation, if they could bring about reciprocity in this respect, and prevent England from taxing New Zealanders when in the Old Country, whose businesses are being carried out in New Zealand, and we in turn were not to tax people from the Old Country doing business here, it would be a very good thing.
Mr. T. Mackenzie: You're contemplating that now.
Sir Joseph Ward: Pardon me. What we are doing in this country is exactly what England does to us, and so long as the older land follows the method of dual taxation, then I think, in In short, we turn, you can't expect a self-governing dependency to do anything but the same.
are open to make a reciprocal arrangement, and if they are prepared to do it, so will we.
No. VII.
DEFENCE (NAVAL).
(1) Resolution of Commonwealth of Australia-
"That the provisions of the Naval Defence Agree- ment, 1902, be reconsidered."
(2) Resolution of New Zealand-
"That the question of an increased contribution by the Australasian Colonies to the Australasian- New Zealand Squadron should be considered together with other matters respecting Colonial Defence." (NOTE-Papers circulated on this subject will be found on pages 38-73 of [Cd. 3524].)
41648.
(Confidential.)
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
No. 1.
(Received December 9, 1901.)
Admiralty, December 7, 1904.
SIE,
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Lyttelton, that they have
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