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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Te Tz Ti
Reference :--
C.O. 885
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The SECRETARY OF STATE: May 1 say then, if the Resolution is to be put, there will have to be one or two verbal alterations, and it would read as follows?-
That in arranging for the administration of the Transyaal and "the Orange River Colony" (that is a better definition of the now territories than "the portion of the Empire formerly known as the “Transvaal and the Orange Free State"), "provision should be made for duly-qualifical members of the learned and skilled professions now admitted or hereafter to be admitted to practise in the solf-governing "Colonics to be allowed to practise in the newly acquired territories on "condition of reciprocal treatment in the Colonies concerned.” That does not, of course, bind any Colony or State to accord reciprocal treatment, it merely expresses the opinion, where such reciprocal treatment is accorded, it would be desirable that this permission should be given.
Mr. SEDDON: Would you accept that, Sir Wilfrid?
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I have nothing more to add to what I have previously stated.
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Sir ALBERT HIME: Would you put the words "it is desirable that provision should be made," instead of "that provision should be made" binding one down hard and fast?
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Yes, I think that is better.
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Mr. SEDDON: Very well.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Then I will put the Resolution:
"That in arranging for the administration of the Transvaal and "the Orange River Colony it is desirable that provision should be "made that duly-qualified members of the learned and skilled pro- "fessions now admitted and hereafter to be admitted to practise in "the self-governing Colonies be allowed to practise within the newly- acquired territories on condition of reciprocal treatment in the "Colonies concerned."
I will just ask the Premiers present by name -~-
Sir WILFRED LAURIER: Against.
Sir EDMUND BARTON: For.
Mr. SEDDON: For.
Mr. FULLER: For.
Sir ALBERT HIME: For.
Sir ROBERT BOND; For.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: The Resolution is carried, Sir Wilfrid Laurier dissenting. I think that concludes our work for to day.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.
Admiral CUSTANCE: Will you allow me to state that I represent the Admiralty here?
The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR: Very good then, you will please open the matter. This is the Admiralty's suggestion.
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Admiral CUSTANCE: Perhaps I may explain the position that exists in this country now. There are throe things that the Admiralty wish. The first. is that a ship should be able to communicate with any station all over the world, that some system should be in force everywhere, which would be of general application. The other two questions are as regards interference during both peace and war. By that I mean that if a ship desires to communicato with a station, a third ship or station can prevent cominunication, which or course is undesirable. Tho third point is the control of communication during war. The Government of this country do not see their way to legislate to provide for these two questions interference and control. Arrangements have therefore been made with Lloyds' and Marcɔni under which Lloyds have a right to use the Marconi arrangements for cortain stations, and the Admiralty work some of those stations, and Lloyds work the others in peace. In war the Admiralty would have the right to go into Lloyds stations and control them. So far, you sce, it is provided for. But the Marconi Company still have the right to put up any number of other stations, over which the Government would have no control, excepting the general control which the Crown has in case of an emergency-an undefined control. Sooner or later it is probable that some legislation will have to be passed to provide for this state of things, but in the meantime the question is hardly ripe for doing anything. That is the position, Mr. Chamberlain, as it is at prosent. The question is not ripo really. It is only partially provided for, and it may come up in the future. The demand for legislation may come up in the future; what shape it may take it is impossible for us to say.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: At present the sole object of the Admiralty is to warn the Conference that propositions will be made in the future for legislation which we in this country hope they may adopt in the Colonies also, is it not ?
Admiral CUSTANCE: That is so.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Nothing, practically, arises to-day?
Admiral CUSTANCE: No, nothing.
Sir ALBERT HIME: It has been raised already, I think; the question of the Marconi system being under the control of the various Colonies. I think we have been asked by telegraph whether we would approve of that.
Mr. SEDDON: But is not this the position? And we would like, I think, to be entitled to some lead from the Admiralty; but wo were notified through the Colonial Office not to enter into any arrangements.
Sir ALBERT HIME: Not to enter into any arrangements without consulting them.
Mr. SEDDON: And until something is done we are practically hung up, and this may, of course, prove detrimental. How long will it take before you are in a position to give the Colonial Prime Ministers a lead on the subject We are entitled to know; we cannot indefinitely, and we are not prepared indefinitely, as far as New Zealand is concerned, to hang the matter up.
Admiral CUSTANCE: I understand that the Colonica were asked, if they made any agreement, that there should be a proviso enabling them to take control in the event of war.
Sir ROBERT BOND: That was the exact position. I remember a com- munication from the Colonial Office to the Government of Newfoundland, as we had entered into an arrangement with the Marconi Company for the erection of three stations at Labrador. The arrangement that we made with the Marconi Company was to the effect that they were to erect the stations for us, we paying them a certain sum and granting them a royalty, which should extend over a period of ten years, after which the whole property became that of the Government of the Colony. Virtually they have no control
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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