CO885-(6-7) — Page 492

POLITICAL

RELATIONS

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"And the self-governing Colonies are altogether satisfactory under the condition of things now prevailing――

The Secretary of State.] Yes, that is 80.

"under the condition

Mr. Escombe.] What is the meaning of the words, of things now prevailing"? Why not stop at "satisfactory"?

Mr. Kingston.] It means that if you adopt a new federal constitution, for

something. instance, you want

Supposing we put it, "require no substantial alteration"?

The Secretary of State.] I think if we say "satisfactory," we can leave out the word "altogether."

Mr. Kingston.] There are some relations which are not satisfactory.

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Mr. Reid.] Are upon the whole satisfactory."

The Secretary of State.] "Are generally."

Mr. Reid.] "Are generally satisfactory."

That leaves room.

Of course

be some

they cannot be perfectly satisfactory. "Generally" shows there may little things.

The Secretary of State.] "Generally satisfactory under the condition of things now prevailing."

Mr. Kingston.] "Under the existing conditions."

Mr. Escombe.] What mean these words, sir?

The Secretary of State.] It is what Sir Wilfrid Laurier said, that while at present he is perfectly satisfied, yet it is impossible to believe that the Colonies would permanently remain satisfied with existing relations when they become great nations; but at the present time and under the present conditions they are satisfactory.

Mr. Escombe.] Is not that all covered by the words "are generally satisfactory."

The

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] Well, perhaps it is. No political changes. mere fact that Canada perhaps within 20 years will have a population of 10,000,000 or more opens a door for changes which will be required there.

Mr. Escombe.] Is not that all met by the word "now."

Mr. Reid.] No, not for the average reader.

Mr. Escombe.] The average reader will put the question I have put.

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Mr. Kingston.] Are generally satisfactory under existing conditions."

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] You have "existing" just before. The Secretary of State.] We have "existing " just before.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] You might strike it out before.

Mr. Kingston.] We need not have "existing " before.

Mr. Seddon.] What would the average reader understand by that as far as

under the head of political? We express too much.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] I think it makes it very clear.

Mr. Kingston.] Perhaps if you put "constitutional."

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] That makes it very clear.

Mr. Reid.] Place any

word you like.

Sir John Forrest.] I have one or two grievances myself.

The Secretary of State.] Then it will read "generally satisfactory under the existing conditions of things; that they are also of opinion that it is desirable

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whenever and wherever practicable to group together under a federal union those Colonies which are geographically united."

Sir Hugh Nelson.] You want " also."

It is a

The Secretary of State.] Then they are "also." Yes, I think so. separate sentence. "Meanwhile the Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold from time to time." Now, are you prepared to make any more definite suggestion than that; would you say "to hold triennial conferences"?

Mr. Reid.] I think so, “triennial."

The Secretary of State.] Or "quinquennial"?

Sir Wilfrid Laurier.] You are not asked to bind yourselves. Mr. Reid.] We are only expressing an opinion, sir. of all?

Will you,

first

Mr. Escombe.] Would it not do to say that the Secretary of State shall from time to time convene meetings of the different Colonies, because you should be the judge, generally, of the time when it could come without fixing a hard-and-fast period?

The Secretary of State.] No, but I think you say it is only an expression of opinion, and it really would be useful.

Sir John Forrest.] It might be periodical, sir.

The Secretary of State.] Well, I have got it so. I have got "from time to time"; but I do not know whether you would like to make it more definite.

"triennial. It is an

"

Sir George Turner.] I think we ought to say intimation to the Home Authorities that we think they ought to call us together.

Sir E. N. O. Braddon.] If it is left to periodical, we might fix the years. Sir George Turner.] Yes, but if we say " triennial," it helps the authorities at the time in the Colonial Office to call a conference. They will say it was arranged that we should meet once in three years.

Mr. Kingston.] Will you fix the place and time of the next Conference

now?

The Secretary of State.] Not do it too often at first.

Mr. Reid.] The advantage of holding it triennially is this, we are not hankering after an annual trip of this sort, and it is very pleasant to us.

Sir John Forrest.] You will not be in, Mr. Reid.

Mr. Reid.] That is the reason I want to be off for three years.

Sir George Turner.] Mr. Reid wants the other fellow in and out, and to be

in himself by the time the three years come round.

The Secretary of State.] "Meanwhile the Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold triennial conferences of representatives of the Colonies in the United Kingdom for the discussion of matters of common interest. Do you propose that resolution, Mr. Reid?

,,

Mr. Kingston.] I was going to suggest, Mr. Chamberlain, instead of fixing triennial, we put it periodical, and then fix the time and place for the next meeting. You can fix that in 1900.

The Secretary of State.] You can hardly fix it. It is an expression of opinion.

Mr. Escombe.] It will very much affect the general elections in the Colonies, the actual date of this thing happening.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TILLIC.O. 885

9

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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