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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 885

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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going on in Australia with the view of bringing in in Australia what has taken place in Canada, that is to say, a federating of the now politically scattered provinces. Until this is done I do not see, for my part, how it will be possible to come to any terms of political council, and the only proposition which I should suggest for the present time would be, that the Conference here assembled views with great satisfaction and hopes that the proceedings now going on for the federation of Australia will come to maturity at their next conference, which is to take place on the 1st of September.

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Mr. Reid.] The expressions made use of by Sir Wilfrid Laurier with reference to the admirable address which you have delivered to us, we all adopt. I confess, having regard to the variety of the subjects mentioned by you, sir, it becomes a question in my mind whether it might not save time, if in the light of the very full speech made by yourself we to have a Conference among ourselves before we really ventured upon a more formal meeting with yourself. My reason for saying that is that some of these matters are matters which I happen to know excite to some extent in their present shape a difference of opinion, and I must say that your observations in my mind will help very much to remove differences of opinion which may perhaps have existed, and under all the circumstances, knowing the value of your time and the extent of your hospitalities as affects us, it might be well that we might meet and freely discuss matters in the light your statement, and then I think we might meet more formally and discuss the matter with Mr. Chamberlain. I merely venture to make that suggestion.

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Sir George Turner.] The same thought passed through my mind as passed through the mind of the Premier of New South Wales, that with the limited time at our disposal and the many other engagements that we and you have it will be impossible for us to discuss these matters as fully as is desirable. I hardly agree with Sir Wilfrid Laurier in regard to the order in which he proposes to take the various matters, because if we are to enter upon the very large question of political union I am afraid we shall have very little time to deal with those other questions which at the present time are more practicable and easier of solution. I think if we reverse his order and deal more with the commercial union, leaving the other matter to evolve itself after we have had some little experience as to whether we could work together harmoniously in matters relating to our commerce. There is a large number of difficulties in that one subject which we have to face; but we have all faced difficulties before, and I have no doubt, if we set our minds to work with one object in view, that we will be able to come to some fair and equitable compromise which will not give all what they desire to get, but will form a foundation which hereafter may be improved upon. As to the military question, I think we can deal with that also. I would prefer myself that the larger question of the political union should be left over for further consideration. I quite agree with Mr. Reid that without con- sulting amongst ourselves and endeavouring to be unanimous as far as we pos sibly can on these various questions, it will be impossible to discuss these large questions in such a way as will be beneficial to all of us, and, therefore, I cordially support the suggestion which has been made, and if we could have your admirable address circulated as quickly as possible it will give us an opportunity of thinking it over, and of discussing it whenever we get an opportunity, and then meeting you hereafter. daresay we will be able to come forward with our ideas placed in such a short and concise form as may enable us to discuss the matter advantageously. I notice,. sir, that you have left almost everything to us to suggest; you yourself appear to have taken up the position of not giving us any definite lines to work upon, and of throwing the whole onus upon us of formulating some scheme. As far as I am personally concerned, I would have been glad if a different practice had been adopted, and you and your colleagues here, with far larger experience, would have placed before us something upon which we could have worked as a foundation. However, as you, no doubt, have carefully considered that matter, and think that we ought to be pre- pared with some suggestions, it will be for us to meet together and see if

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we can, acting together, bring forward something which will form a basis for future discussion. I think if we were to adjourn as quickly as possible, and if we had your address at as short a period as it is possible to get it, we might by consulting together be able to meet your wishes.

Mr. Seddon.] Mr. Chamberlain, I would say that the time occupied with the address which you have delivered to us has been very well and profitably spent indeed, and will tend in a great measure, I think, to shorten our proceedings, and help us to come to conclusions which I trust will be bene- ficial to the Empire. I may say, with respect to the suggestion made by the Premier of New South Wales, that we, the whole of the Premiers, have not as yet had the opportunity of meeting together to discuss the matters which you have mentioned. It would therefore be well that Mr. Reid's suggestion should be adopted, and the speech should be placed in our hands, and we could then take the various matters seriatim. Some of them would be even now, without any hesitation, agreed to, and to that extent our proceedings would be shortened. There will be other questions, again, upon which probably there would be a difference of opinion; consequently it will be impossible for us to come to a definite conclusion, or a unanimous conclusion, upon these; and it will be necessary, when we meet again, for the various Premiers to take that opportunity of expressing their opinions upon these subjects. I must say that I look myself upon the ventilation of the commercial aspect as being the most important at this moment, and the suggestion already made upon that head, that there should be an inquiry in regard to the Treaties, and their bearing upon our relationship to the Empire, and that of the Empire to other nations, requires most careful consideration. Then with respect to the question of the consolidation or codification of laws, we should all agree with that. It is only a question of going into details, and your suggestion as to a Commission being a proper mode of dealing with that question is probably the right one. As regards the suggestion for an Imperial Consultative Council, speaking for my own Colony, we have long felt that such a Council is necessary, and would be of great advantage to the Empire, to the Colonies, and to ourselves. On the question of the defence of the Empire and her Colonies, I may say that with that devotedness which characterises all Colonists, it will be carefully considered by them and their respective Governments, but they will require to have time. I notice, with serious alarm, that it is necessary to strengthen the protection of our Colonies, more particularly Canada and Australasia. In the event of complications arising, owing to possible con- Alicting interests between Russia and Japan, sucli a situation would be created as would demand the very serious consideration of the Governments of the Colonies affected, and probably, after a discussion among ourselves, carefully looking at the whole matter, we might form some conclusions. which we should be prepared to submit at some future time to the Secretary of State. Then as to the question of the improvement of postal commu- nication, I think we shall all agree with Mr. Chamberlain's suggestion. As to the Paris Exhibition, no doubt each Colony will be prepared to make its own nomination. On the question of alien immigration, I may say that some of the Premiers have discussed the position, as you will have noticed by the resolutions which were passed at the Hobart Conference. We have heard what Mr. Chamberlain has said, and we beg to assure him that every word will have very great weight indeed. We claim to have the right to speak for our race, and to express the feelings of our race, and we take the action we have taken with no desire to be offensive to the people of any other country. I, myself, quite agree with the suggestion made by Mr. Reid, that we might now adjourn; probably with two or three of the suggestions mentioned we should all agree, and leave the other subjects for further con- sideration. That, I think, will be the best way.

Sir H. M. Nelson.] I wish only to add my thanks to the expression made by the other Premiers to you, sir, for the very able manner in which you have brought this very important business before this con- ference of Premiers. I need not repeat what has been said several times,

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