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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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would be a great objection to modify our law to such an extent as to make that a serious danger. But I do not think that we can deal with the matter here as a conference at the present time. Probably it would be sufficient if we undertook to consider whether it would be possible to insert in the English law any power for the purpose of giving reciprocal privileges, and in any case that wo might enter into communication with all the Colonies as to their existing law as to what they would propose, and consider it as I say in each case on its merits. We might, for instance, say in one case: "Well we can give you reciprocity if you will make such and such changes in your law."

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I drink if that were left, with the initiative in the Colonial Office, perhaps ́that would meet the case.

Sir EDMUND BARTON : I was just going to ask that that should be embodied in a motion.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Perhaps I might draft one.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: Would this do, Sir :--

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“That it would tend to the encouragement of inventions if some "system for the mutual protection of patents in the various parts of the

Empire could be devised.

"That the Secretary of State be asked to enter into communication with the several Governments in the first instance and invite their suggestions to this end.'

Would that do?

Mr. SEDDON : It does not say anything about the existing law, as to what was suggested about the present Act, or whether you have now a Bill before the Imperial Parliament.

The SECRETARY OF STATE; I would not like to insert that in the resolution. I will inquire about it.

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The Resolution was put to the Conference and carried unanimously.

That it would tend to the encouragement of inventions if some

system for the mutual protection of patents in the various parts of the Empire could be devised.

"That the Secretary of State be asked to enter into communication with the several Governments in the first instance and invite their suggestions to this end.”

MERCHANT SHIPPING-UNIFORM LAWS THROUGHOUT THE

EMPIRE.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: The next matter stands in the name of the Government of the Cape, and relates to Morchant Shipping---Uniform Laws throughout the Empire.

Mr. FULLER: Sir Gordon Sprigg said nothing to me about this. I do not know whether he meant the navigation laws; it simply say s—merchant shipping-uniform laws throughout the Empire. I might cable to Sir Gordon Sprigg.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: l'ostpone it and ask to renew it?

Mr. FULLER: Yes.

IMPERIAL STAMP CHARGES ON COLONIAL BONDS.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Imperial Stamp Charges on Colonial Bonds will be postponed.

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OCEAN CABLES AND PURCHASE THEREOF.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: The next subject is Ocean Cablos and Purchase thereof, which stands in the name of tho Government of the Commonwealth.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: Mr. Chamberlain, I wish to elicit the opinion of the Conference, not in the first instance as to any past action in regard to the acquisition of ocoan cables, but with reference to action in the future. I think opinion is largely tending towards the propriety of acquiring ocean cables at any rate in cases where the keeping open of a pan-British system of communication is concerned. Whether the opinion goes much further than that at the present moment I do not know, and I do not propose to tako a course which may tend to divide us in opinion on this point. I think that considerable advantage is to be gained in the State-ownership of cables, or at any rate leaving it open for such ownership to be entered upon. Wo have made a beginning in that direction by the State-ownership of the Pacific cable. I intend to make a quotation from a pamphlet by Sir Edward Sassoon, on the Telegraphic Communications of the Empire, which puts in the best words the case for State-ownership. He says at pp. 20 and 21 :--

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To say nothing of the many other advantages which attach to "the cables belonging to the Government, we have the important fact "that when such cables are also constructed by the State, the capital required can be raised at a low rate of interest, that the various exponses connected with company promotion are done away with, also that the cable can be bought in the best and cheapest market, and bo made of the best material and in the best way; and further, that the Government will be spared the expenditure of the large sums, which, " as we have seen, are frequently paid away in subsidios, besides which, large dividends will not have to be forthcoming. Beyond all this it “will be unnecessary to lay aside large sums to reserve, as is at present done by most of the companies, a reserve which they use as a war- chest with which to defy or crush competition; and lastly, the Government could also devote, to the reduction of rates, the large sums which the companies at present expend out of carnings to extend "their system of cables.

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"These are the more direct and obvious advantages of State- ownership, but they are by no means the most considerable. With "the cable systems of the British possessions under Government control, "the tariffs could bo so regulated and so much reduced, that the lines "will be thrown open to the use of multitudes of our fellow subjects, "to the undoubted advantage, commercially and socially, of all the ** individuals concerned, and thus these cables will become a guarantee "for the solidarity of the Empire in securing the perfection, as far "as it is humanly possible, of this adjunct of defence and offence.”

I think that quotation crystallises the reasons so well that there is no necessity for me to add much on the subject beyond moving the resolution, and I thought it advisable perhaps to put the matter as to the future in this. form.

"That it is desirable that in future agreements as to .cable "communications a clause should be inserted reserving to the Govern- "ment or Governments concerned the right of purchasing on equitable terins, and after due notice, all or any of the cables to which the agreements relate.”

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The EARL OF ONSLOW: This mattor has been under the consideration of an Inter-Departmental Committee of all the principal offices concerned, and I think copies have been sent to each of the Prime Ministers. I do not know that there is any objection to the insertion of a clauso in the companies' agreements that Government should expropriate them on torms, but the question is what those terms should be. Generally the feeling of the Com- mittee was that it was desirable that nothing should be put in the way of the

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