PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
mwimmi
TILLC.O. 885
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
Mr. Kingston.] We are.
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The Secretary of State.] Will you move the first part, Sir Wilfrid Laurier ?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] I will, with pleasure. I beg to move: "That the Premiers of the self-governing Colonies unanimously and earnestly recom mend the denunciation at the earliest convenient time of any treaties which now hamper the commercial relations between Great Britain and her Colonies.
Sir John Forrest.] Could it not be connected with the Ottawa Resolution ; is it undesirable to do it?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] It is not undesirable to do it, but it seems to me the motion is complete in itself.
Mr. Kingston.] I should have preferred that it was a furtherance of the Ottawa policy; not a new thing.
The Secretary of State.] There is a slight difference; the Ottawa Resolu- tion refers to commercial reciprocity. Would some other Premier second
the resolution?
Sir George Turner.] I beg to second the motion.
The Secretary of State.] It has been moved by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and "That the Premiers of the self-governing seconded by Sir George Turner, Colonies unanimously and earnestly recommend the denunciation at the earliest convenient time of any treaties which now hamper the commercial relations between Great Britain and her Colonies."
Mr. Reid.] I am determined, if possible, to preserve the unanimity of this Conference. I simply feel a certain degree of hesitation in adopting even that resolution.
The Secretary of State.] It is only a recommendation, Mr. Reid.
Mr. Reid.] Quite so; I prefer to preserve the unanimity of the Con- ference. I quite agree.
The Secretary of State.] Of course your observation upon it will remain on record.
Mr. Kingston.] I should just like to say, sir, that the distinction you pointed out between the resolution now proposed, and the resolution at Ottawa, that the one referred to commercial reciprocity. I think the form of the resolution at Ottawa was well advised. Though I do not wish to move any amendment on the subject, I wish my position to be clear.
The Secretary of State. You see, Mr. Kingston, the question has advanced considerably since the time of the Ottawa resolution, and I think that distinc- At the time of the Ottawa resolution, the only tion ought to be marked. proposal before that Conference was a suggestion for preferential duties to be placed on foreign products, whether they come into the mother country or whether they come into the Colonies.
Mr. Kingston.] Yes.
The Secretary of State.] Well the proposal of Canada has put that aside altogether.
Mr. Kingston.] Yes, so far as Canada is concerned.
The Secretary of State.] I think I have explained to you that if the propo- sition were confined to that, it would be an unpractical one for us to entertain in this country; I think I could show you by figures, if it were worth while to do so, how gigantic is the trade affected in Great Britain in comparison with the trade which would be affected in the Colonies, and as the Colonies are certainly not, as I understand it, prepared at the present moment to
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consider the question of a Zollverein, a perfect Zollverein, we must drop for the moment, at any rate, the idea of commercial reciprocity in the sense in which it was understood by the Ottawa resolution.
Mr. Reid.] I should think so.
The Secretary of State.] Then those in favour of this resolution will please say "Aye."
All the Members of the Conference.-Aye.
"No." The Secretary of State.] On the contrary,
No response was made.
it is carried unanimously.
The Secretary of State.] The Ayes have it ; The Secretary of State.] Then does anyone object to the statement "That the Premiers of New South Wales, following as it now stands: Victoria, New Zealand, Cape Colony, Queensland, Tasmania, West Australia, and Natal will favourably consider proposals for giving a preference to the products of Great Britain.'
Sir George Turner.] I think we ought to add to that that full inquiry should be made.
The Secretary of State.] I was going to propose another resolution about inquiry.
Sir John Forrest.] I think Mr. Kingston was with us generally; he said he was prepared to do all he could to encourage trade with the mother country.
The Secretary of State.] I do not think there is anything in this state- ment to exclude Mr. Kingston, only I did not want to appear to be pledging anyone against his wish.
Mr. Kingston.] Would it be possible to have all the resolutions on this one subject before us.
was sug-
The Secretary of State.] I will read the third resolution I gesting: "That a Commission of Inquiry be issued immediately to inquire into the commercial relations between the Colonies and Great Britain, and to report on the best method of promoting Imperial trade, and on any changes in existing fiscal arrangements which may conduce to that object.'
Mr. Seddon.] I may say, Mr. Chamberlain, I object to the second part of the resolution proposed. First of all, where we tender advice, which is a fair thing to do, and a proper thing to do, and we ought to be unanimous, but to support a resolution such as that you have now proposed would certainly place the different Premiers, probably, in a false position before their own Colonies and their own Parliaments. I distinctly stated to the New Zealand Parliament that I would in no way commit the Colony. When this matter came up here, I said at first I should be quite prepared to advise, and prepared to assist it in discussion, but I should in no way commit myself or my Colony. I have stated here to-day my opinions. I am prepared to pass the first of the three resolutions as advisable, but to commit-I do not think, as a Conference, as we are here, it is necessary to commit particular Colonies to a particular course, and, on that ground, I object.
Sir George Turner.] I think the resolution might be framed with the purpose of obtaining information and ascertaining whether it is possible to devise a fair and equitable settlement between the mother country and the Colonies. A Commission should be appointed to inquire into the whole subject..
Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] Well, gentlemen, you remember this, that this important subject of the relation between the mother country and the Colonies has been discussed at the Ottawa Conference by everybody. The main idea, the idea which was at the bottom of all the resolutions there adopted was trade, that is to say, that preference should be given in the Colonies to Great Britain to the motherland, and the motherland would give compensation
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