20
subjects which, in their opinion, may suitably engage the attention of the Colonial Conference :-
(1) Imperial preference.
(2) Payment of double income tax.
(3) Imperial defence.
(4) Uniform system of appeal to Privy Council.
Shipping freights and rebates, involving-
(a) Control of combinations.
(b) Control of rebates.
e) Subsidies to lines affected by subsidised foreign competitors.
(d) Limitation of trade to British bottoms.
(6) All-British system of cables or wireless telegraphis.
(7) Reciprocity in professions after adoption of an agreed standard of
examinations.
(8) Uniform laws to regulate-
(a) Naturalisation of aliens.
(b) Immigration.
(c) Merchandise marks and patents.
Ministers note with satisfaction that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to include in the Agenda Paper the important proposals con- tained in the Secretary of State's despatch of 20th April 1905 relative to the establishinent of an Imperial Council, with a permanent Advisory Board, upon which this Government expressed its opinion on 15th June.
L. S. JAMESON.
45399.
21
No. 5.
The GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND to the SECRETARY
(No. 96.) MY LORD,
OF STATE. (Received December 10, 1906.)
Government House, Wellington,
October 29, 1906. WITH reference to my despatch, No. 95, of even date, in which I have forwarded to your Lordship in the form of motions the principal subjects which my Premier desires to discuss at the forthcoming Colonial Conference, I have the honour to enclose herewith a cutting from this morning's "New Zealand Times" (which may possibly be of interest in this connection), giving an account of the proceedings in the House of Repre- sentatives which took place on the 27th instant, when my Premier brought this matter to the notice of Parliament.
I have, &c.,
PLUNKET,
Governor.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O-885
Reference :-
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
35911.
No. 3.
The GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA to the SECRETARY
OF STATE.
(Received 7.54 p.m., September 28, 1906.)
TELEGRAM.
In answer to your telegram of 25th September,* Responsible Ministers do not desire at the present time to present any new subject for discussion at Colonial Conference.-GREY.
35910.
No. 4.
The GOVERNOR OF NEWFOUNDLAND to the SECRETARY
OF STATE.
(Received 7.55 a.m., September 29, 1906.)
TELEGRAM.
Referring to your telegram of 25th September, have received minute from my Ministers to the following effect :-
"There is no subject of discussion nor any resolution which they desire to be submitted to Colonial Conference."
MACGREGOR.
33333; not printed.
Enclosure in No. 5.
"NEW ZEALAND TIMES," 29th October 1906..
IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.
IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.
On Saturday evening Sir Joseph Ward took advantage of an opportune lull in the business before the House of Representatives to make a short statement with regard to some of the matters that are to be brought up before the Imperial Conference which it is proposed shall meet in London on April 15th next. He said the principal matters of which he had given notice of motion and which would be considered were as follows :-Imperial Council, Preferential Trade, Naturalisation, the Australian Squadron, Reservation of Bills, Reciprocity in connection with the practice of surveyors throughout the Empire, Universal Penny Postage, Immigration, Legislative power of the Colonies to make reciprocal tariff treaties with one another, the Islands of the Pacific, and reciprocity as to the admission of barristers to practise in the United Kingdom. Of course he could give no particular indication of what was likely to be finally done at the Conference, but he would make a general statement with regard to these matters. That statement would have to be brief on account of the amount of time that had been occupied during the evening by certain hon.
AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL.
members.
First, with regard to the question of the establishment of an Imperial Council, he quite acknowledged that the Colonial Conferences that had been held in the past had done very good work in clearing up by discussion many difficult and important questions. But the conference system had no defined status or permanent existence. The New Zealand Government proposed to raise the question of establishing a permanent Council at which each of the self-governing colonies would be represented. Its functions would of course be merely deliberative and con- sultative, but it would do in a permanent and constitutional way what at present was informally done by the conferences, and such a Council could be made of the greatest value to the Empire and its dependencies.
PREFERENTIAL TRADE.
At present the various oversea dominions were working on separate and conflicting lines and it was now proposed to discuss the question of preferential trade as the advantages that would accrue from the adoption of a uniform system was obvious.
RECIPROCITY IN LEGAL MATTERS.
Anothor question was that of reciprocity as to the admission of barristers to practise in England. At present there was reciprocity as regards solicitors between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and our solicitors were admitted to practise in the Old Country, but as the two branches of the legal profession were amalgamated here, a New Zealand barrister could not practise in any of the English Courts. This was an obstacle which it was desirable should be removed if it was possible.
• 45398; not printed.
45018.
B 3
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