CO885-(16-18) — Page 793

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O.885

18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Fifteenth Day.

14 May 1907.

MAIL SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND riâ

CANADA,

"

158

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: That it does not call for inquiry" that to "this end the various Governments concerned should initiate concerted inquiry into the proposals submitted." The first we limit. The second is that this communication should be through Canada, and from Canada with Australia by the best available means without specifying anything.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: That is committing us to this route as the best route without inquiry.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: If you want inquiry whether it is the best route or not this is exactly the object.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: That is committing us to the trans-continental route as the only route we can consider. We are not allowed to consider any other route.

an

"

Sir WILLIAM LYNE: What other route could you consider if it is to be all red route"?

We say

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: If you think there is another available route I do not think I or anybody else is prepared to agree with that. that is the route.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: It is committing us to the scheme before we have had time to consider it.

Sir JOSEPH WARD: We say it is a matter of policy to have a route through Canada. It is the only British country we can go through, and As a that is the country we want to get this service through if we can. matter of policy we want a British route; that is the route we wish to support, and if possible to obtain your support too.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I object to Mr. Lloyd George's proposal, because he wants to examine whether or not we should adopt another route or We say there is no inquiry required. This is a question of policy this route. we put before you to have an all British route, and this is the only British route possible. There is no other.

CHAIRMAN: It seems to me your resolution would commit us to your proposals, even if the conditions were prohibitive.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Not at all.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: It is absolutely regardless of cost.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: No, put in a modification if the cost is too heavy. I do not object to that. This is the route. I use the words "available under existing circumstances."

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: If we are to go into this question, we shall have to take the advice of people who will tell us what the thing will cost, and we must have the figures before us.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Very well, "by the best service available within reasonable cost."

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: Yes.

159

Sir JOSEPH WARD: "Subject to the cost being approved by the respective Governments."

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: Yes, that is all we want really. We want to be allowed to examine into the cost of the thing.

Sir JOSEPH WARD: My idea is you will never ascertain the cost until you make up your mind what you want first, and then invite offers for it, and examine the offers by your experts.

Sir WILLIAM LYNE: That resolution binds us to the route viâ New Zealand. The present route is to Brisbane. I do not know what my Prime Minister thinks.

Mr. DEAKIN : I do not think it does bind us.

Sir WILLIAM LYNE: I think it does. If we pass a resolution and agree to it that it shall be one route and one route only, and that route viâ New Zealand, it might place Australia in an awkward position.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I will put it this way: "That, to this end "it is advisable that Great Britain should be connected with Canada, and through Canada with Australia and New Zealand by the best service "available within reasonable cost.'

16

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: Yes.

"1

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I say "for the purpose of carrying the above project into effect such financial support as may be necessary should be "contributed by Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, in

equitable proportions."

*

Sir WILLIAM LYNE: Then that does not fix the route.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: It fixes the route.

about.

14

Mr. DEAKIN: Not on our side. That is what Sir William is talking

CHAIRMAN: I will read the resolution again: "That in the opinion of this Conference the interests of the Empire demand that, in so far as practicable, its different portions should be connected by the best possible means of mail communication, travel, and transportation, and that to this "end it is advisable that Great Britain should be connected with Canada, and through Canada with Australia and New Zealand by the best service "available within reasonable cost; that for the purpose of carrying the above project into effect such financial support as may be necessary should "be contributed by Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in

equitable proportions."

"

Fifteenth Day.

14 May 1907.

MAIL SERVICE

TO AUSTRALIĄ AND NEW

ZEALAND via CANADA.