CO885-(7-8) — Page 629

157

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TTLE C.O. 885

اسيس

104

Sir EDMUND BARTON: Something of the kind might be done. The difficulties which Sir Wilfrid Laurier has suggested, and which I need not repeat, as to the inconvenience of fixing any arbitrary period while the political exigencies of the various Parliaments' systems are so divergent, render it almost impossible to keep to the letter of any resolution with any certainty, therefore I would suggest that the amendment be accepted.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: In regard to this I might point out that on the last occasion the Premiers unanimously agreed to the following resolution:-

15

"The Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold periodical conferences of Representatives of the Colonies and Great "Britain for the discussion of matters of common interest." Therefore, if the suggestion of Sir Wilfrid Laurier is accepted, we shall simply repeat the resolution which was passed on the former occasion. There is an objection to that which, I dare say, has been considered, but it is that, if you leave it in that form, you cannot call a conference without baving some special object. That, of course, will raise the expectations to which Sir Wilfrid Laurier refers much more than would be the case if the Con- ference met automatically, and, as a matter of course, at fixed periods. quite appreciate, however, the difficulty which he has suggested as to a conference taking place at a time when some Prime Minister or another might be unable, owing to urgent business at home, to attend; but I should have thought that we might alter the words so as to allow a little liberty, while, at the same time indicating our opinion-if it be our opinion—that the Conference should take place as a rule, and, unless there is anything which would prevent it, at fixed periods of three years and no more.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: If the Conference is held as nearly as prac- ticable every three years?

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Something of that kind.

Mr. SEDDON: You would by the following meet the case.

"

"Such conference to be held at such time and place as the Secretary of State for the Colonies should determine, but it is further desirable that such Conference should take place within every three years."

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Three years seems to be a very short period.

Mr. SEDDON: You see this; we have triennial Parliaments in our Colony; I do not know what you have in Canada:

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Ours is elected every five years.

I

Mr. 'SEDDON: We have three years in Australia and in New Zealand, and there might be a change in the Colonies-a change of opinion in the incoming Prime Minister and the incoming Government responsible. think, as far as I take it, public opinion in New Zealand-and I believe, myself, in the Mother Country-shows that there is a desire that these Conferences should take place, and that to wait for a coronation or special events taking place, which are very uncertain, now, I do not think desirable. I think, myself, we ought to have at least one within three years. Should any emergency arise, the discretion would be left to the Secretary of State for the Colonies to call any conference before that.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I have nothing particular to add to what I have said already, but I will not press my own objection.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Would this meet the views of the Conference ?-

"That it would be to the advantage of the Empire if Conferences . ** were held as far as practicable at intervals not exceeding four years at

06

+

..

105

which questions of common interest afl'ecting the relations of the Mother Country and His Majesty's Dominions over the seas could be discussed and considered as between the Secrotary of State for the ('olonies and the Premiers of the self-governing Colonies. The Secretary of State is requested to arrange for the Conferences after communicating with the Premiers of the respective Colonies in ease of any emergency arising upon which such a conference may have been deemed necessary; the next ordinary Conference to be held not "sooner than three years thereafter "

M

Mr. SEDDON: I accept as so amended.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: Would you altor the word "Prime Ministers"? The latter is the English term.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Cortainly.

64

+

+

Promiers

11

to

"That it would be to the advantage of the Empiro if Conferences were held, as far as practicable, at intervals not exceeding four years, "at which questions of common interest affecting the relations of the "Mother Country and is Majesty's Dominions over the seas could be discussed and considered as between the Secrotary of State for the Colonies, and the Prime Ministers of the self governing Colonies. The Secretary of State for the Colonies is requested to arrange for such Conferences after communication with the Prime Ministers of the respective Colonies. In case of any emergency arising upon which a special Conference may have been deemed necessary, the next ordinary Conference to be held not sooner than three years thereafter."

46

66

LA

16

The Secretary of State put the Resolution as amended to the Conference and declared it carried unanimously.

३.

TREATIES AFFECTING COLONIAL INTERESTS.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: The next motion stands in the name of

the Commonwealth.

66

(b.) Communication prior to entering on Treaties affecting Colonial "interests."

Sir EDMUND BARTON: The Government of the Commonwealth thought it advisable that this matter should be brought up for discussion. F matters now stand treaties-commercial or otherwise -commercial treaties are what would be chiofly affected by this resolution—are entored upon, and the right is given to the Colony of adhering or standing out; and a communi cation is addressed to each to that effect. The point of view from which this suggestion is made is that it might be a desirable thing to obtain that a:lhesion, as far as it could bo given, in the first instance, so that when a commercial treaty was entered into it might of itself have a more far-reaching effect than anything else to carry out what might be sought to be obtained by it. I do not think it is advisable to detain the Conference at any length on the subject. It seems to me that the "course suggested by the Govern ment of the Commonwealth is a preferable one, assuming always that it is not thought to involve too much demand upon the generosity of His Majesty's Governinent. I do not think it would be; but I think it would tend to give greater strength to the treaties and they would be entered into then with an authority which was assured beforehand, and the colonies then would have the opportunity with reference to matters which were 10 be embodied in the treaty of making representations as to its effects upon their interests which might be of great advantage to His Majesty's Govern- mont in affording them information which it is difficult otherwise to get from distant parts of the world. I just put that forward as a suggestion.

E 21328.

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON|

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIĊ- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO