489
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PARIS EXHIBITION OF 1900.
96
Sir E. N. O. Braddon.] They had a railway all through the exhibition grounds last time.
Mr. Seddon.] However, that is not so much good as the fact of getting together to show the Empire.
The Secretary of State.] It does not so much matter I think about these exhibits. I do not attach very much importance to them at all myself; but at the same time what importance there is is by them being visited by the people who are likely to be purchasers. The great mass of the people are simply people who are there to pay their franc and see the exhibition, and the more interesting exhibits. They are not attracted to raw products and things of that kind; on the other hand, the people who are likely to buy wool or anything else are the people who would naturally come to the British Colonies section, and see the exhibits there.
Mr. Reid.] Sightseers are not much good. Mr. Reid.] Business men go by the place.
That is their business.
The Secretary of State.] That is the way with regard to all exhibits of raw products. If you are an exhibitor of china then it is of importance you should have the retail purchaser pass your exhibit, but it is not so with the wholesale exhibitor. However, I think, as I understand it at present, the Colonies who would join on the French terms are Canada, New South Wales, Queensland, Cape Colony, Natal-does Natal join?
Mr. Escombe.] It does not join unless the movement is general. If the movement is general then I come in; otherwise I come out.
Sir John Forrest.] I should like to say we were to join on the originai conditions, and I do not know that we would not join even on any conditions. I certainly would not say we would not.
The Secretary of State.] If that is the view, would it not be as well to take a little more time; would it not be better to appoint your Commissioner?
Sir John Forrest.] Yes. The Agent General, I think myself, would be the best man.
The Secretary of State.] And through him get the further information? Sir George Turner.] Would not that practically bind us to join if we appoint one of the Commissioners; would it not be leading the French Government to believe that we were going to join. If we fell out afterwards, it would be a kind of breach of faith.
The Secretary of State.] It might.
Mr. Seddon.] I think so, and of course I should say under the altered circumstances, and as a matter of policy, we agreed to it, and when we come to policy, I would not take upon myself here to decide.
Sir John Forrest.] Is there no chance of getting the French Government to meet our wishes in that respect?
The Secretary of State.] I am afraid not. If you say you will not join that will be reported to the French Government.
Sir John Forrest.] We have not said that; we are half and half.
The Secretary of State.] I am told-we really pressed it very hard from this side, and from this Office, and we were told that it was simply impracticable. We could not have the space; it was no use. The next best thing they could do, they did.
Mr. Reid.] It would be too like a British exhibition in Paris at their expense if we were all by ourselves.
97
The Secretary of State.] Then, of course, the space required is very large; it PARIS EXHIBITION would be likely to be very large.
Mr. Seddon.] I would like my position to be this: Say, owing to the policy. I refrained from recommending the appointment of a Commissioner, as I wish the matter considered by my colleagues in Cabinet.
one
Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] Does the appointment of a Commissioner commit
any way to exhibit?
in
Mr. Reil.] Would he appear as a Royal Commissioner of a Colony? Would he not appear as one of an Imperial Commission?
Sir John Bramston.] Yes.
Mr. Reid.] He would not appear as so-and-so for New South Wales, but merely his name.
Sir John Bramston.] He would appear in the Commission as a British Commissioner.
Mr. Reid.] It would not be as the representative of a Colony; that would not commit us in any way.
Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] For my part I would not bind the Colony of Tasmania in any way to exhibit under the altered conditions.
Mr. Reid.] Every Commissioner is a member of the Imperial Commission, and will not bind the Colony upon whose recommendation he has been appointed; the Colony will not be mentioned.
Sir F. N. C. Braddon.] I should like to know whether my action in agreeing
to the appointment of a Commissioner commits the Colony?
Sir John Forrest.] I think you will have to exhibit, you know.
The Secretary of State.] I think, Mr. Escombe, it will not be absolutely done, but, as you see, the important Colonies of Canada, New South Wales, Queensland, and Cape Colony join, at any rate; what do you say about your position then?
Mr. Escombe.] Must I give the answer to-day, or may I give it in 48
hours.
The Secretary of State.] If you please.
Mr. Escombe.] I can give it in 48 hours.
The Secretary of State.] Sir George Turner, as I understand you do not wish to join.
Sir George Turner.] At present I do not want to pledge the Colony, we may come in later on, and I do not like to appoint a Commissioner because it seems like a breach of faith if we do not come in.
The Secretary of State.] The Prime Ministers of Victoria and New Zealand? Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] We take no responsibility in appointing a Commissioner.
Sir George Turner.] I think you
do.
Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] In what way.
Mr. Reid.] I am quite willing to take the responsibility.
The Secretary of State.] I think there is reason in that. I am willing to put it in this way, that there are certain Colonies which will join, and then I will say as regards the other Colonies they desire to reconsider the matter in view of the refusal to allow the exhibits to be combined in one building.
Sir Hugh Nelson.] For instance, there will be an immense variety of exhibits.
N
E 97887.
OF 1900.
PARIS EXHIBITION
of 1900.