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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TILC.O. 885
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
POLITICAL RELATIONS.
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Britain and her Colonies are altogether satisfactory under the condition of things now prevailing. They are also of opinion that it is desirable whenever and wherever practicable, to group together under a confederate union those Colonies which are geographically united; meanwhile, the Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold from time to time conferences of representatives of the Colonies and Great Britain for the discussion of matters of common interest."
Sir George Turner.] Political relations-I hardly think the commercial
relations-
The Secretary of State.] I beg your pardon, You see the relations there- it will include political as well as commercial,
Sir George Turner.] Very well,
Mr. Reid.] You cannot say the commercial relations with such Colonies as Victoria.
Sir George Turner.] Well, New South Wales, if you ask me.
Mr. Reid.] We have followed the Grand Old Motherland.
"C
Sir George Turner.] New South Wales is free to the pauper labour of other countries. They are also of opinion that whenever and wherever practicable, it is desirable to group together under a confederate union those Colonies which are geographically united." Would it not meet that idea-say geographically situated?
The Secretary of State.] Wherever practicable.
Mr. Seddon.] It does not arise in New Zealand.
Mr. Reid.] Fiji. Would you not take Fiji under your wing. I venture to question the desirability of passing any resolution. There will be tremendous criticism. The papers are all waiting for something to lay hold of. I tell you, my dear sir, I am afraid of giving unnecessary targets for reply.
The Secretary of State.] On the other hand, Mr. Reid, of course it is known, there is general expectation that we should discuss this question, and there will be the greatest curiosity and interest to know whether we arrive at any conclusion.
Mr. Reid. It meets my views. I have no objection to the resolution at all. Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] But, Mr. Reid, it is well in these matters to think not only of to-day but of fo-morrow. The present relations are no doubt satis- Nobody expects that the factory, but they cannot remain as they are. Colonies will not make a great development, and as they develop, you will have to give something to meet the altered conditions.
Mr. Kingston.] I think that the resolution is too comprehensive.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] And I do not think that anything practically can be done unless you have confederation.
Mr. Reid.] The whole thing is unobjectionable. I do not suppose that it would be a matter for the moment, that we expect to be able to come next time, and that we are considering for ourselves, because we cannot be for ever the representatives of the Colonies. I think we must leave something for the Opposition.
Sir William Whiteway.] Would it not be sufficient to go so far as to recommend a periodical conference?
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time has not come for great changes, I think we ought to say so, otherwise we shall have this perpetual agitation of the Empire League, and this, that, and the other league both here and in the Colonies, complaining that we are not doing anything, whereas as a matter of fact we are agreed that at the Here is moment nothing should be done, and that the time has not come. another way of saying the same thing,
Mr. Reid.] There is no harm in the first part; that may be agreed to on all hands.
Sir John Forrest.] I did not catch the words.
Mr. Reid.] Everyone will agree to " geographically united."
Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] That does not affect the main question. Mr. Reid.] Not a bit.
The Secretary of State.] I will read both. The one I read before is this: "The Prime Ministers now assembled are of opinion that the relations now existing between Great Britain and her Colonies are altogether satisfactory, under the condition of things now prevailing. They are also of opinion that it is desirable whenever and wherever practicable to group together under a confederate union, those Colonies which are geographically united; mean- while the Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold from time to time conferences of representatives of the Colonies and Great Britain for the discussion of matters of common interest." That is the original reading. The alteration, to which this is a part: "The Prime Ministers are of opinion that it is not desirable at the present time to propose any alterations in the political relations between the Colonies and the mother country; meanwhile the Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold from time to time conferences of representatives of the Colonies and Great Britain for the discussion of matters of common interest."
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Mr. Seddon.] You see, Queensland, for instance, refuses to have anything more to do with federation.
The Secretary of State.] Not at all. They have passed a Bill.
Mr. Kingston.] Have they passed it? Was that Federal Bill passed, Sir
Hugh Nelson? They say the Government is in a minority in it.
Sir Hugh Nelson.] I am quite in favour of that resolution.
Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] It is our political relations that should be made closer.
Mr. Reid.] That resolution admirably expresses my sentiments.
Sir John Forrest.] We have passed similar resolutions to that, often, about federation.
Mr. Kingston.] I suggest that you should use the word "federated" instead of "confederated."
"1
The Secretary of State.] Federal Union.
Mr. Kingston.] I think so.
The Secretary of State.] Will you now allow me to read it line by line, so that any verbal alterations may be suggested. assembled are of opinion
The Prime Ministers now
Of
Mr. Reid.] You might say "assembled immediately after, or "here assembled.'
because there is now almost
""
"1
The Secretary of State.] Will you take this. I am anxious, really. course it is no use any of us going on advocating political changes if the time is not ripe.
Mr. Kingston.] No.
Mr. Reid.] No.
The Secretary of State.] It is desirable to settle public opinion to that extent; and if, as I gather, you gentlemen are practically of opinion that the
The Secretary of State.] "The Prime Ministers here assembled are of opinion that the political relations now existing between the United Kingdom and the Colonies—
Mr. Reid.] Should that be "self-governing," because do we represent self-governing Colonies?
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