PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Fifteenth Day. 14 May 1907.
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Mr. DEAKIN: Was it amended in both those respects?
Mr. BUXTON: Yes, very much so; because in the original Convention TELEGRAPHY. Germany proposed that there should be no votes for the Colonies whatever, but only one vote for each country and the Colonies not represented at all. In regard to the other point the Admiralty, having got all the amendments they required in the original draft Convention, are now fully satisfied, not only that the Convention is a good thing in itself, but that it would be a disadvantage both from a naval and commercial point of view if we did not ratify it.
Mr. DEAKIN : The great safeguard so far as I can grasp it at present is the power of withdrawal after 12 months.
Mr. BUXTON: Yes; supposing it is found that intercommunication is not satisfactory, and certainly if it is found to be in any possiblę sense a danger, we should have no hesitation whatever about withdrawing from the Convention, which we can do at 12 months' notice.
Mr. DEAKIN: I understood it was final, that if you were in you could not get out, unless you took the extraordinary step of seeking to dissolve the conference.
Mr. BUXTON: No, you can withdraw with the greatest ease.
Mr. BRODEUR: What is our position in the Colonies with regard to that Convention which has been made? Are we affected in any way?
Mr. BUXTON: No. The position of each self-governing Colony is this: They did not take part in the deliberations of the Conference because it was understood they, naturally, did not wish to be committed to the terms of the Convention until they had an opportunity of considering it in all its bearings after it was passed. Therefore, they had nothing to do with the drafting of the Convention. The Convention has now been radically modified from the draft, and they have full liberty to adhere or not. They can come in at any time.
Mr. BRODEUR: The draft Convention has never been submitted.
Mr. BUXTON: Yes; that was sent to all of them. The new Conven- tion has now been sent out, but it was only last January, so that the position of the Colonies is that, after they have considered the amended Convention, there is no obligation to come in; and if they do not want to come in, they stand out; it is on their own initiative: If they want to come in, they can come in at any day, and can go out on a year's notice.
Mr. BRODEUR: I was not in the Department when the matter was brought to the attention of the Government, but I understand the draft Convention was submitted by the British Government to the Colonies. We answered, as far as Canada was concerned, that we had no objection to that draft Convention. The meeting of the Conference took place, and a modified been submitted to the Convention has been made out, which has Government.
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Mr. BUXTON: The original draft Convention was sent to the various Colonies, not asking them to agree to it or join, but for information, and pointing out at the same time that they would not be bound by it until after they had an opportunity of considering the draft Convention as amended after the Conference. That has now been sent out, some time in January, to the various Colonies for their consideration, pointing out, presume, this particular clause, which was put in at the desire of the Colonial Office, enabling them, as I say, to stay out if they liked, or come in if they liked at any time and go out again on a year's notice.
Mr. BRODEUR: The question of representation has been discussed in this despatch sent to Canada.
Mr. BUXTON: It was merely a copy sent for information. It does not come into force until July of next year.
Mr. BABINGTON SMITH: 1t runs for an indefinite period.
Mr. DEAKIN: The Conference is to meet five years from when?
Mr. BABINGTON SMITHI: It meets in 1911.
Mr. BUXTON: That is about five years from the time of the last meeting.
CHAIRMAN: With regard to the explanations, we purposely put off our general despatch until the Select Committee had finished sitting.
Mr. BRODEUR: The Committee is still sitting?
CHAIRMAN: Yes.
'Mr. BUXTON: We have practically completed taking evidence. We shall probably report after Whitsuntide.
Mr. DEAKIN: That will deal completely with the whole of this question?
Mr. BUXTON: I imagine so.
Mr. DEAKIN: Does it point to still further amendments to the draft Convention?
Mr. BUXTON: There is no question before the Committee and the We have Government of amendment of the Convention as it now stands.
to take it or leave it as it is. The Convention was hanimered out with British delegates representing the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Post The Committee is Office. They agreed to it and thought it satisfactory. appointed to report to the Government what they think would be the results if it is ratified or not ratified.
Mr. DEAKIN: There was then an original Convention and ar amending Convention?
Fifteenth Day.
14 May 1907.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.