CO885-(20-21) — Page 397

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.

Miscellaneous

No. 255.

Confidential.

CORONATION ARRANGEMENTS, 1911.

The points on which the Colonial Office will have to be prepared with recommenda-

tions in connexion with the Coronation festivities are—

1. The complete representation of the Colonial portion of the Empire.

This raises the questions of—

(i) direct representation by delegates→→→

(a) in Westminster Abbey,

(b) in any procession;

(ii) an opportunity to prominent persons from the Colonies such as Lieutenant- Governors, Members of the Privy Council, and Mayors of great municipalities, though not directly representing any place or territory, to take a certain part in the festivities.

With reference to the above points it will be useful to refer to Mr. Wilkinson's memorandum (App. A), paragraphs 1-4 and 13, as showing what was done on the last occasion.

(iii) The representation of the various native races who come under the Colonial Office or their rulers.

As to this, see paragraphs 6-12 of Mr. Wilkinson's memorandum (App. A). I should like to express my opinion that this is a matter which requires very careful consideration, and it will be well for each head of department to consider and advise on the cases that arise in his own area. There are such very strong objections to having natives and native troops brought over to this country on these occasions that if it were possible I should be glad to see them left out altogether.

2. The entertainment at the public expense of a certain number of the representatives from the Colonies.

On this head see paragraphs 1, 2, 15, 16, 32, and 38-40 of Mr. Wilkinson's memorandum (App. A.).

It will be necessary to consider how far any such entertainment should be combined with any idea of entertaining the delegates to the Imperial Conference. It will be remembered that the Treasury have been made rather shy through the recent expenditure on such entertainment; and although last year we did, on the whole, manage the matter fairly economically for the Imperial Defence and the South African Union Conferences, the one point in which we were very liberal, namely, the provision of motor cars, drew a definite request from the Treasury that we should be very careful on any future

occasion.

It may be assumed that the selection of public guests for the Coronation will be kept within rather strict lines, as indeed on the last occasion; but I am not sure that it is fair to be very liberal towards the big Dominions and give nothing to the Crown Colonies, as apparently happened in 1902.

(17578-2.) W, 19031.-G99, 50, 9/10. D & S.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.885

Reference :-

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