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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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LAND DEFENCE.

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Captain Nathan.] It is rather a matter which works into the suggested exchange of units, and if the Dominion Government brings that question up the question of a recruiting depôt might be brought up with it.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] I do not know whether that and a recruiting depôt could be worked together; I never contemplated that point. The fact is, I take very little interest in military affairs in my own province. I just give you the thing for what it is worth." I could not offer any opinion upon it.

Captain Nathan.] But you might bear that in mind in connection with the other question.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] Yes.

The Secretary of State.] Then there is another question, if we have dealt with the questions raised by the Colonial Defence Committee. I have been endeavouring, but I have not yet succeeded in obtaining an absolute answer -I have been endeavouring to obtain from the War Office and the Admiralty an offer of arms to the Colonies at low prices.

Captain Nathan.] I mentioned that.

Sir George Turner.] We will be very glad to get that offer in Victoria, because they are pressing me very strongly now to find 50,000/. for rifles. If the War Office is willing to make an arrangement with us to assist us, we will be very much obliged.

The Earl of Selborne.] It is very desirable to have the same bore, if possible.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] It is very desirable to have uniformity in every thing, and I think something that ought to be insisted upon, which is easily practi- cable, is that all alterations in the Colonies in regard to military matters should be submitted to the Imperial Government and acted upon upon a general plan. One Colony then would not have one system and another Colony another.

Captain Nathan.] That is, of course, what my committee desires to do, and a great many Colonies have taken us very much into their confidence ; not Canada I am sorry to say. From Victoria we have got a whole heap of matters here in the last year, which have been submitted by the Government of Victoria, and we have endeavoured to advise on a uniform plan so as to get a general scheme carried out in all parts.

Sir George Turner.] I might say that we derive a good deal of useful infor- mation and assistance from what you do for us in regard to many matters.

Mr. Reid.] So do we; so do we in New South Wales.

The Secretary of State.] Then that is all you have to bring before us. Captain Nathan.] That is all.

The Secretary of State.] I do not know if there is anything that any member of the Conference would wish to ask.

Mr. Reid.] What would be the cost of altering the Martini-Henry to the Martini-Metford rifle ?

Captain Nathan.] £1 12s. 6d.

Sir George Turner.] Could you, in the various Colonies.

without much trouble, give us the force

Captain Nathan.] Yes, if you will allow me I will give you the various papers.

Sir George Turner.] All I want, just roughly, is the number of perma. nent men, and the number of Militia and Volunteers in the different Colonies;

office. would have a record in your I did not know whether you

Captain Nathan.] I have, yes; I will send it to you.

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Sir George Turner.] I thought you might have a record in your office approximately what we have.

Captain Nathan.] I have, and I will send it to you.

Captain Nathan withdrew.

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] I do not know whether we have disposed of the matter which was left over from the previous meeting in regard to the com- mercial relations. Would it be advisable to take it up now? We would give it a few minutes, perhaps.

Sir George Turner.] I think it would be-advisable to settle it. Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] What conclusion did you reach after I left morning?

you

this

Sir George Turner.] To follow out the resolution which was passed unanimously at Hobart by the Australian Premiers. Before we are pledged definitely to anything the whole matter ought to be investigated by some commission appointed by the Imperial authorities.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] The question of giving preference.

Sir George Turner.] The whole subject; an inquiry ought to be held into it.

The Secretary of State.] Does that preclude any expression of opinion as to what the Colonies would do independently of inquiry?

Sir George Turner.] We do not feel justified in expressing any opinion for the Colonies, because we have not yet consulted our colleagues, and we have not consulted our Parliaments. Any individual opinion we might hold of course would not have sufficient weight. Upon the whole, we do not feel justified in giving any definite opinion until we have had a full inquiry into what could be done and the best means of doing it. Our sympathies are unquestionably with the mother country notion to have the trade limited as between the mother country and the Colonies as much as we possibly can.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] Extended rather.

Sir George Turner.] Well, limited to this, as against foreign nations.

Sir Wilfred Laurier.] That is to say, if I understand your position cor- rectly, to give a preference wherever you have a Customs tariff if practicable with the local exigencies of your Colonies.

Sir George Turner.] Yes, undoubtedly; and at the same time we want to see if it be not possible for expert men to devise some means by which the mother country can to some extent reciprocate.

Mr. Kingston.] That the advantage may be mutual.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] That is a very wide question.

Mr. Reid.] There are many sorts of mutual advantage. For instance, will you make your ports as free as the British ?

Sir George Turner.] I do not think we are at all likely to do that.

The Secretary of State.] But permit me to say that it cannot be treated on any theory of mutuality of advantage. The advantage will always be on your side whatever happens, because we are your largest customers; we open our ports freely to you, and you cannot at present-it is well to put it plainly-you cannot give us reciprocity to that extent.

Sir George Turner.] Oh, no.

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LAND DEFRNCE,

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.

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COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.