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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF "THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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“draw the attention of His Majesty's Government to the question of a

reduction in the outgoing rate.

"They consider that each Government should be allowed to * determine the amount to which it may reduce such rate, and the time "for such reduction going into effect."

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK: Yes.

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Sir EDMUND BARTON: Does not that affect the question Sir George Murray was speaking about just now?

Sir GEORGE MURRAY: It does.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: It does not prevent you from expressing an opinion,

Sir EDMUND BARTON: It would affect the practical results.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: As long as the Post Office holds its present views. It is not a matter which has come before the Government, and been

It is, therefore, as I considered in any way by the Cabinet.

say, quite impossible for me, representing the Cabinet, to express any opinion as to what they would do. I can only put before them the resolutions at which the Conference arrives.

The following resolution was then put to the Conference and carried unanimously:

"That it is advisable to adopt the principle of cheap postage "between the different parts of the British Empire on all newspapers " and periodicals published therein, and the Prime Ministers desire to "draw the attention of His Majesty's Government to the question of a

reduction in the outgoing rate.'

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They consider that each Government shall be allowed to "determine the amount to which it may reduce such rate, and the time

for such reduction going into effect.'

The SECRETARY OF STATE: That is all we need trouble you with, Sir George Murray. No doubt you will report to the Postmaster-General the very strong feeling.

Sir GEORGE MURRAY: Yes, I will with pleasure.

THE QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL.

Mr. SEDDON: I may say that in accordance with my promise to the Conference the other day, I conferred with my colleagues in respect to naming the amount of the contribution of New Zealand in connection with the Imperial Memorial in honour of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria. My colleagues have intimated that I am to inform the Conference that they would in the next Session submit a proposal for a grant of 15,000l.; our offer subject to confirmation by Parliament is not less than 15,000.

Mr. FULLER: I am authorised to say, Mr. Chamberlain, that the Cape Government have agreed to contribute a sum of 20,000/.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Has the Prime Minister of Canada any announcement to make?

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: cannot at present take the responsibility, but I will inquire.

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NAVAL AND MILITARY CADETS.

Mr. SEDDON: I would like Mr. Chamberlain to give the following notice of motion for next meeting :-

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That the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Colonies suggest that the question of the allotment of the Naval and Military Cadets to the Dominions beyond the Seas be taken into consideration by the Naval and Military authorities with a view of increasing the number "of such candidates, and consistent with ensuring suitable candidates, "that as far as practicable greater facilities than now obtain should be

given to enable young colonists to enter the Navy and the Army."

•

DECIMAL CURRENCY AND THE METRICAL SYSTEM.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK: It there is nothing before the Conference I have been asked by the Canadian Government to bring another matter before the Conference; it is the matter of decimal currency and the metrical system of weights and measures.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: The United States Congress has had before it the matter of adopting the metrical system of weights and measures. I do not know whether it has passed, but if they favourably considered it, provision was made for bringing the metrical system into operation at a Before we left given date, I think 1906 or the reabouts, and perhaps before. Čauada the United States Board of Trade askod us to a Conference as to the possibility of a metric system and decimal currency. But if the United States adopt that system and make it compulsory with them, I am afraid that we will have to follow suit very rapidly in Canada, and it will be a question whether it would not be advisable to have the same system extended all over the Empire. We bring it before the Conference to-day in the hope We do of having a friendly discussion such as we have had this morning. not at this moment offer any resolution, but it would perhaps be advisable to bring in a resolution later on.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: I think, of course, there is a very great distinction between an alteration in the currency and the adoption of the metrical system of weights and measures. Personally-I speak my own I think opinion-I am entirely opposed to any alteration in the currency.

any disturbance would be so groat that it would be a very serious step to undertake, and it would not be a desirable thing to undertake. I have not the same feeling with regard to the adoption of the metrical system of weights and measures, and I believe there is a very considerable public opinion in favour of such a change▬▬▬

Mr. SEDDON: In weights and measures?

The SECRETARY OF STATE: In weights and measures.

Mr. SEDDON: And the question of importing live stock from Canada.

The SECRETARY OF STATER That concerns Canada, and the Minister

of Canada is going to discuss it with the Minister for Agriculture.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: I thought there was something in it which possibly might concern the other Colonies.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK: The cattle question.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Yes.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: As to the embargo.

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