PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
N
Reference :-
C.O.885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Fourteenth Day.
9 May 1907.
EXTENSION OF BRITISH
INTERESTS IN THE PACIFIC. (Chairman.)
134
rejected practically as it stands." I wish to make one explanation in regard to that. Taken by itself that may seem a very peremptory statement, but it really means if you are to accept the Convention at all it is obvious we cannot At the same time an do very much more with the French in the matter. opportunity was given to the Governments to submit amendments, and they did submit amendments. We were prepared to negotiate with the French Government again, and were on the point of doing so, when another accident happened which induced the Australian Government to advise that we should close with them at once, and we did so. That is the history, and I venture to think that at any rate in intention we did not neglect the interests of the Colonies, but did our best to secure them, and also with the full cognisance and revision by the Colonies as far as it was possible to do so.
That is all I have really to say upon that. It is a question which has caused a great deal of uneasiness. The last thing I should wish to do as far as I personally am concerned is to treat the Colonies in an overbearing manner; and I can only assure the representatives here that every effort will be made to avoid their finding cause of complaint again. But I also wish to put on record that as far as the negotiations are concerned I think that we were well represented. Mr. Deakin asked that our representatives should be well informed and capable.
Mr. DEAKIN: I said they were well informed and capable. I do not take any exception to them now. The only exception that has been taken is that they were not acquainted with the islands themselves or the circumstances of island life as M. Picanon was directly and M. Saint-Germain was indirectly. M. Picanon is an extremely able man, and so is M. Saint- Germain, with the additional advantage that M. Picanon had lived in the Pacific, and the English representatives did not.
CHAIRMAN: We admit certainly that they had that advantage; only wish to say that, having been consulted on these negotiations day by day by the representatives who came in here to see me, I cannot help thinking we did rather well.
Mr. DEAKIN You did exactly what they expected you to do. I do not say you did badly on that account.
CHAIRMAN: I do not think Mr. Deakin will want me to say more upon the subject of that particular Convention. Now generally as to the interests in the Pacific. As I said in the beginning we fully recognise our duty to consider any, what I think Mr. Deakin called, re-adjustments of territory, if that opportunity offers; but opportunities do not offer very frequently, and are very difficult to adjust. At any rate those are questions for the Foreign Office, and if I had known that that particular point was to be specially urged I should have asked my colleague, Sir Edward Grey, to be present, but I will remember it myself, and call his atttention to it. I will just call your attention to the concluding sentences of a confidential paper which is in the hands of the members in which His Majesty's Government, speaking of Panama Canal, desire to "take this opportunity to place on record the deep interest they feel in this question, their determination to watch closely the effects of the opening of the canal in the interests of the Empire and "their desire to meet as far as practicable the wishes of the Common- wealth Government and those of the Government of New Zealand in this important matter." I do not think I can put it better or stronger than that. Sir Joseph Ward asked that the Government should be consulted in future Conventions. I think from what passed in regard to treaties yesterday it
*
C
C
*C
135
is quite obvious that that is the policy also of His Majesty's Government. We are only too anxious to consult and he supported by the Governments of the Dominions beyond the Seas. I do not know whether I need say any more. I have spoken quite I hope that I have made a sufficient explanation. frankly and I hope in a conciliatory spirit.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: May I say a word while we are upon this question with regard to the tenor of the resolution as moved by Mr. Deakin, I am altogether in sympathy with it. I think it is absolutely a necessity that all British Possessions should. look carefully at the opening of the Panama Canal. It may involve very serious problems in the future. The Americans, I have no doubt, will use it to the best advantage to aggrandise their own trade at the expense of British trade. If Mr. Deakin thinks it advisable to press the motion, I am prepared to vote for it; but I simply suggest to Mr. Deakin and Sir Joseph Ward that it might be better in view of the whole facts to withdraw this from sharp attention because of the proceedings of another Government, the American Government. I want them to consider whether this is not one of these things that had better be left unsaid rather than said, and draw the attention of the British authorities to the fact that it is advisable, it is necessary that the attention of all the Dominions should be very closely brought to this important matter.
I would say further, that the matter should be left as a confidential matter instead of being made public and so sharply brought to the attention of the public; but it may be that Mr. Deakin and Sir Joseph Ward in
may view of the keenness with regard to the New Hebrides in their own Dominions think it preferable to make the thing public, and if that is so, I am prepared
to vote for it.
Mr. DEAKIN: I quite feel the force, Sir Wilfrid, of your remarks, but it has been made so public already and so constantly discussed with us that nothing we could do here could give any more publicity to it.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I am satisfied with it.
Sir WILLIAM LYNE: It is a very keen matter in Australia.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: It is a very important matter in Canada, but I understand from the tenor of the discussion that it is very keenly felt in your part of the world.
Sir JOSEPH WARD: It has been publicly discussed in New Zealand also.
Mr. DEAKIN: I do not wish to put it any further as a resolution; I am quite content that we have had the discussion. We need not register any conclusion arrived at, but simply record the debate in the proceedings.
CHAIRMAN: Then it will be recorded.
Mr. DEAKIN: This discussion will be recorded with the rest.
CHAIRMAN: There is only one other item on the Agenda.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I am not prepared to take up any other point now.
Fourteenth Day.
9 May 1907.
EXTENSION OF BRITISH INTERESTS IN THE PACIFIC. (Chairman.)
F136