CO885-(6-7) — Page 177

185

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

11 C.O. 885

8

little doubt that they would accept the former, as it would still be open to them to enter into agreements with the Colonies similar to the treaty recently negotiated between Great Britain and France relating solely to the commercial relations of the latter country and Canada. The suggestion is commended to Lord Rosebery.

Enclosure 2 in No. 7.

EXTRACT from a SPEECH of Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, President of the Board of Trade, in the HOUSE OF COMMONS On March 23rd, 1891.

"The hon. member was aware that when these treaties were entered into a reciprocity treaty between Canada and the United States was in existence, and since then had been passed an Act of 1873, which enabled reciprocity arrangements of that sort to be made between our Australasian Colonies, aud arrangements had been made in the last two or three years between our South African Colonies and the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. So it was perfectly clear that this clause did not prevent arrangements of that kind between our colonies or between the colonies and foreign states."

5684.

No. 8.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

[Answered by No. 11.]

SIR,

Downing Street, April 16, 1894. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 22nd of March,* respecting the amendment of the Act of 1873, regarding Customs duties in the Australian Colonies, so as to enable preferential trade arrangements to be made between the Colonies of Australia and other Colonies of the British Empire, I am directed by the Marquess of Ripon to transmit to you to be laid before the Earl of Kimberley a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade and also of two letters from the High Commissioner for Canada, on the subject.

With reference to the question as to the bearing of Art. XV. of the Commercial Treaty with Belgium on this matter, I am to call attention to the French version of this Treaty "British origin" in which appears to explain clearly what is meant by the expression that article.

I am at the same time to suggest, for Lord Kimberley's consideration, whether the differ- ence (if there be one) between the meanings of the English and French version of that article can lead to any practical difficulty, and whether if Belgium, (or any other foreign country claiming equal treatment with Belgium) were to appeal to an alleged wider mean- ing of the English version, and claim the benefit of any intercolonial arrangements, the answer would not be that Belgium (and other countries claiming through her) is bound by the version which that country has signed in its own-the French-language.

I am, &c. (Signed)

JOHN BRAMSTON.

9

copies of confidential memoranda printed for this Department at the time the Act in question was under consideration.

Lord Ripon desires me at the same time to point out that none of the other Colonies of the Empire except those on the Australian Continent are under any statutory disability in regard to preferential trade arrangements with each other, and to observe that his Lord- ship is not aware of any valid grounds upon which this special restriction upon these Colonies can be defended.

It should be remembered that when this concession is made, the Australian Colonies. equally with all the other Colonial possessions, will be subject, in making any such arrangements, to Her Majesty's power to disallow the legislation necessary to give effect

I am, &c.

to them.

8370.

No. 10.

(Signed) JOHN BRAMSTON.

SIR W. G. CAMERON (Cape COLONY) to the MARQUESS OF RIPON. (Received May 16, 1894.)

TELEGRAPHIC.

Ottawa Conference: Chief Justice and Agent-General have been appointed as dele- gates. Chief Justice goes by mail to-day.

8585.

SIB.

No. 11.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received May 18, 1894.)

[Answered by No. 15.]

Foreign Office, May 17, 1894. I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 22nd of March last, and of the 16th ultimo,† respecting the amendment of the Australian Customs Act, 1873, and the meaning of certain words in the existing Commercial Treaties between this country and Belgium and the Zollverein.

In reply I am to state, for the information of the Marquess of Ripon, that Lord Kimberley is of opinion that the question of the meaning of these words should be referred to the Law Officers of the Crown.

The draft of a reference to the Law Officers is enclosed, and I am to enquire whether it meets with Lord Ripon's concurrence.

I am, &c. (Signed)

H. PERCY ANDERSON.

9

ALLY WITHOUT' PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

(Very confidential.)

SIB,

[Answered by No. 11.]

Downing Street, April 16, 1894. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of even date§ respecting the question of the amendment of the Australian Customs Act, 1873, I am directed by the Marquess of Ripon to transmit to you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley,

§ No. 8.

• No. 3.

† No. 5.

Nos. 6 and 7.

(Draft.) GENTLEMEN,

Enclosure in No. 11.

Foreign Office, May 1894.

I HAVE the honour, by direction of the Earl of Kimberley, to transmit to you the papers noted on the accompanying list, which refer to a doubt which has arisen as to 1. Treaty with the meaning to be attached to Article 15 of the Treaty of Commerce of July 23rd, 1862, 362. between Great Britain and Belgium.

* Australian No. 26.

↑ Nos. 3, 8, and 9.

O 82844.

B

Belgium, July

2. C. O., March

22, 1894.

5684.

No. 9.