PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
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18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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9 May 1907.
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Fourteenth Day. it as it is, as a great means for the distribution of the written opinions and communications of people to one another in all parts of the world, and that by the cheapening of the postal rates we are helping them to promote business and to bring into every-day life a better and closer knowledge of all parts of the world.
UNIVERSAL PLSSY POSTAGE.
(Sir Joseph Wand.)
Resolution XVII.
P. ix.
IMPERIAL CABLE COMMUNICATION.
Resolution XVIII.,
P. ix.
NATURALIZATION.
/
I can only thank Mr. Buxton for giving my proposal his support. I thoroughly understand the reservations he has made, which from his point of view are quite essential,
CHAIRMAN: Then this resolution may be declared adopted.
The resolution was carried.
IMPERIAL CABLE COMMUNICATION.
CHAIRMAN: This is a resolution of Cape Colony. I understand there has been an agreement upon this point.
Mr. BUXTON: We are willing to accept the motion.
Dr. SMARTT: That is what I understand. Therefore the only thing to
do is to formally move it: "In the opinion of this Conference the provision
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of alternative routes of cable communication is desirable; but in deciding upon such routes, the question of the strategic advantage should receive "the fullest consideration; (2) That landing licences should not operate for a longer period than 20 years, and that when subsidies are agreed to be paid they should be arranged on the standard revenue' principle, i.c., half the receipts after a fixed gross revenue has been earned to be utilised for the extinguishment of the subsidy, and, by a agreement, for the reduction of rates. I believe that was done in the last agreement Cape Colony
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made.
Mr. BUXTON: Yes. I do not think I need say anything upon it. This is the general policy which we have carried out here in the Post Office here and we are entirely in accord with the resolutions, both No. 1 and 2.
CHAIRMAN: Then this resolution will be adopted?
Sir JOSEPH WARD: Yes, I most cordially support it.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I have no objection at all.
The resolution was carried.
NATURALIZATION.
CHAIRMAN: We next have the question of naturalization, on which we have already heard the Home Secretary. Sir Wilfrid Laurier asked that this should be adjourned to express your views upon the subject.
Mr. GLADSTONE: I have prepared a draft resolution.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I think there is no objection to that. As far as I am concerned, I quite agree to that.
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CHAIRMAN: Perhaps I had better remind the Conference that the draft resolution submitted was: "That with a view to attain uniformity, so
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far as practicable, an inquiry should be held to consider further the
Fourteenth Day.
9 May 1907.
question of naturalization, and in particular to consider how far, and under NATURALIZAT) 15 what conditions, naturalization in one part of His Majesty's Dominious should be effective in other parts of those Dominions, a subsidiary Conference
to be held, if necessary, under the terms of the resolution adopted by this Conference on the 20th of April last."
General BOTHA: I have a memorandumn on naturalization which I should like to read and hand in, though I quite agree with that resolution.
Dr. SMARTT: If that is road, I think that will allow us to come to some conclusion now.
CHAIRMAN: Would you hand it in?
Dr. SMARTT: It affects the discussion considerably, I think.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: My colleague, Mr. Brodeur, has something to
say on this subject. It will perhaps fit in at this moment.
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Mr. BRODEUR: Lord Elgin and gentlemen, I have only one or two observations to make with regard to this resolution moved on the question of naturalization. I may say we have passed in Canada this year a Bill on the question of naturalization to this effect. I may perhaps read the most important part of the Bill, which provides: "Any person resident in Canada, or in the service of the Government of Canada, or of any province of Canada, who has obtained a certificate or letters of naturalization in the United Kingdom, or in any part thereof, or in any British Colony or Possession, which certificate or letters remain or remains in full force and effect, and who desires to be naturalized in Canada may, if he intends when naturalized either to reside in Canada or to serve under the Government of Canada or the Government of any such province, apply for a certificate of naturalization in manner hereinafter prescribed, without having complied with the condition as to residence required under section 13 of the Naturalization Act, chapter 77 of the revised statutes, 1906." Our Act really provides that a person who has resided in Canada for three years may obtain letters of naturalization, giving certificates as to his character, and as to his residence. He has to apply to the Courts, and the Courts decide whether under the statute he is entitled to be naturalized. We passed in the session which has just closed the clause which I have just read, by which in the future a man to be naturalized who has got already a letter of naturaliza- tion from any British Colonies, will be entitled to come before the Courts and to have his certificate of naturalization in Canada, so to a general extent wo are accepting the certificate of naturalization which has been given by the other British Colonies.
FL
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I do not know whether it is advisable or not that we should discuss the Bill which is proposed to bo introduced into the House of Commons here, but I think that Section 7 is going a little further than I, for my part, would be willing it should go, because there it is declared that when a certificate of naturalization has been given here it is to be accepted by the Colonies them- solves. I think it would be just as well to leave this question entirely in the hands of the Colonies. It will be advisable perhaps to have a general law, as we are having in Canada, but at the same time giving to the Colonies the