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the representations made by the Agents-General, I think it is the unanimous wish of all the Premiers here that that course should be adopted to the full extent. They are our confidential representatives, and they are in touch with the Colony. It is the same with every Agent-General for every Colony, and as far as the Colonial Office could possibly give the fullest consideration to representations made by them we should appreciate it. Coming back to this question of the Consultative Council, I am entirely at one with Sir Wilfrid Laurier. I think, myself, that if the present good feeling and satis- Up factory connections are to be sustained, we shall have to go further. to the present time, and until our presence here, every one must admit that there are matters of grave concern which affect the Colonies, as well as the Empire, which we were in entire ignorance of, and if there was such a council On the in existence, there is no doubt beneficial results would ensue. question of commerce, have we not been here during the last few days as a consultative council? Have we not been making representations directly to the Imperial authorities? Is it to be said that those have not had due weight, and that now there is to be an entire cessation when we go, and leave matters as they were before? ›
we
Mr. Reid.] Let us make it annual; let us make it an annual pilgrimage.
were before. We are Mr. Seddon.] Just simply to drift back as entirely in a different position to what we were at the Sydney Congress. There on the question of federation the representatives of the Colonies were not in a position to advise. We in New Zealand are in this position; we shall not form a part of the Australian Federation. I say that our Colony has long felt that something more is wanted than exists at the present time. And on questions of trade, finance, and defence, and sometimes in respect of foreign affairs, such a council as this would be of great service; there is no doubt of that. We are very much concerned in regard to foreign affairs. The result to us would be as disastrous as it would be to any other part of the Empire, and we have no voice, no representation at all; and I myself cannot see why-what objection there can be to such a council being established, and that that should be an alternative. Of course, ultimately, I think, it would lead up to a direct representation in the Imperial Parliament. There are ten millions of people at the present time; there is one-fifth, an entire one-fifth, who have no representation whatever, and I say that the principle has been admitted in other respects. In Colonial matters, if there was only one representative from each dominion-one from New Zealand, one from Australia, one from the Cape, and one from Canada, and on matters especially concerning Colonial matters, whatever they might say, I assume they would have very great weight indeed with those who were representing the other constituencies.
Mr. Reid.] No, but they would not have much weight when it came to the vote.
Mr. Seddon.] I am one of those men who say it is not a question of votes at all. It is simply with a view to disseminating information as to Colonial matters. Every one of the Premiers here, if they are willing to speak their mind, will admit that there is, and that there has been here, a great ignorance, with respect to Colonial matters. It is only to-day that I was asked to some function in Dublin and was requested to appear in native attire.
Sir George Turner.] That is a fact.
Mr. Reid.] It is only the native representatives.
Mr. Seddon.] No, it is all the Premiers.
The Secretary of State.] You really must let us see that.
Mr. Seddon.] A lady of position in Dublin in advising as to an entertain- ment in honour of our visit to that city, states in her letter, and as a special request, expresses the hope that the Premiers will attend in native attire.
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Mr. Reid.] It is only fair to the lady to say that she explained it.
Mr. Seddon.] Down at the review the other day there was a gentleman, a member, I believe, of one of the local authorities in Great Britain, and he asked another gentleman who was there, who said he was connected with the Premiers from the Colonies, whether they could speak the English language. That is a fact.
Sir George Turner.] How would the fact of having one representative of the Colony in the Parliament of Great Britain do away with the question?
Mr. Seddon.] You had better let it stop there, but I do say this, that even representatives in the Imperial Parliament and probably the Secretary of State for the Colonies knows it, and has experienced it more than we have, that they are not so well acquainted with matters affecting the Empire and the Colonies as they would like to be, and that if they would address them- selves to Colonial questions it would be a very great advantage. That is my conclusion, and I am bound to say that I think it will come, just as we have in our Parliament representatives of our native brethren, who, on native questions and questions of native interests, have been of immense importance; in fact, they have greatly assisted to solve a problem which used to cost us blood and money. However, that is the view we hold in New Zealand, and I' am afraid that unless we do something more than we have done here, and go away. a reaction will set in; it is only a question of time when the movement will cool down, and we shall be as far off as ever.
Sir George Turner.] If there is any distinct proposal brought before us we can entertain it, but we can hardly suggest. I should be very glad to consider any definite proposal.
Mr. Seddon.] We have expressed the view whether something can be done to bring us closer together, and whether or not the constitution of a consulta- tive council would tend in that direction. That, as I understand, is the point. I am strongly of opinion that it would. Take, for instance, the Chamber of Commerce, which had a meeting in last June; there was a great benefit done to the whole Colonies and to the Empire, and the result of the conference at Ottawa was the same. If representative men were sent to this Council, and they were charged with a responsibility, and they had an inter- change of views, it would have, as in my opinion I believe the bringing of us here to-day will have, the effect of helping both the Empire and the Colonies, that is a detail easily met; as to constitution I am of opinion myself that such a council would be a great advantage.
Sir William Whiteway.] What is to prevent your Council being composed of your Agents-General meeting informally.
Mr. Seddon.] That is a detail, as I said, of the constitution, so that there would be a representative of the Imperial Cabinet in the Council, and the questions of how they would be elected or nominated or else be the Agents- Ġeneral-is a matter of detail which can subsequently be arranged. It is only a question of whether you admit it in principle that this would be an advantage.
Sir George Turner.] Yes, but suppose you have an Agent-General for one Colony representing 200,000 inhabitants, and an Agent-General for another Colony representing 14 millions; would the Agent General of the Colony with 14 milions be liable to be out-voted by the Agent-General of the Colony with 200,000, and have to bow to that decision?
Whether
Mr. Seddon.] The question of population is a very fair test. Canada with its population of 5,600,000 would have the same amount of representation as Federated Australia and New Zealand is a matter of detail. As far as I am concerned, I feel with you, that in respect to this representa- tion on such a committee as that, I should have no hesitation in leaving it to you in Australia to determine. That is a question of detail which I say is immaterial rather than a question of principle. As to the representation and the appointment of the Council that is another matter. The question is
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