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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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the eastern seas.. If Clause 12 were added at that point as a proviso or as a succeeding clause it would come in most conveniently.

"That nothing in the Agreement shall be taken to mean that the Naval force herein named shall alone be used in Australasian waters should the necessity arise for a larger force."

And those by whom this Agreement, whatever it may be, was made would perceive that the arrangement was reciprocal

The FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY: Agreed.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: It would be very useful. It would show not only that the Australian Squadron might be called away to the defence of the Empire elsewhere, but that the other two squadrons in the same seas might be equally called to assist them.

The FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY: Granted.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: Instead of "shail alone be used," introduce the words, "be the only force used."

The FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY: Certainly.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: To make that more intelligible to "the man in the street," if I may use that expression.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: This matter of course concerns the Commonwealth, New Zealand, and the Imperial Government. Properly it would not be necessary to trouble the Conference with it further, but we must arrive at some method by which we can obtain an agreement upon the points which still remain open. I confess I am

not very hopeful that Mr. Seddon will convert Sir Edmund Barton or that Sir Edmund Barton will convert Mr. Seddon, and under these circumstances I venture to make a suggestion, and that is, that they should agree to some sort of arbitration. I do not know whether they would allow, for instance, the First Lord of the Admiralty to decide these points of detail. As representing the Imperial Government he has, of course, a very large interest indeed in the success of the scheme, and the Imperial Government will contribute one-half of the cost, but if there is anyone else in which the two gentleinen named would have greater cofidence we might get it referred outside the Conference. I am afraid that argument has gone alinost as far as it can go on the one side or the other and what is wanted is a decision by some impartial person.

Mr. SEDDON? I quite agree with you. I do not think it is possible for arrangement, and whilst, of course, admitting what Mr. Barton says as to the coast line of Australia is correct, with respect to the number of the ports, we have got five to their two. There are only two in Australia.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: That is news to me.

Mr. SEDDON: When they were separate States there was only one port -so said the people of Sydney-and that the port of Sydney, and I think you will find that on record. Of course, Victoria used to claim that the superior port was Melbourne, and Queensland, of course, Brisbane, and the rest nowherd. Things have changed now. The position is this. It was conceded that two ships should be given to New Zealand. At the Con- ference in 1887 that was conceded. That is in the present agreement. If we do not alter that agreement they receive the two boats, and I am not prepared of my own motion now to agree to any alteration in this respect,

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but it will be seen that New Zealand now includes some of the islands which used to be served from Australia. They are now part of New Zealand, and I am quite prepared to take an extended boundary including the islands of Fiji and Tonga, and let them be termed the New Zealand waters apart from Australia. 1 agree that we practically go back to the first position, which was one first-class boat for New Zealand as Lord Selborne suggested, fix it as one second-class cruiser for New Zealand and then a boat will be saved. I think that is the solution of it.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: I know that this will only lead to subsequent discussion, and I cannot stop. I can only say as regards the proposal for arbitration it would be welcome, if it were not for the consideration that I think we night, either of ns, be accused of shirking our responsibility.

The FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY: How is the question to be settled?

Sir EDMUND BARTON: I think we ought to have some further conversation.

Mr. SEDDON: I will accept the suggestion that we take one first-class cruiser, or as an alternative I will accept two sloops.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: You will be getting more than your one-sixth share. I think we might have ten minutes' conversation.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: I think we must leave it to you, Lord Selborne, to have further talk with Sir Edmund Barton and Mr. Seddon.

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THE MEMORIAL TO THE LATE QUEEN VICTORIA.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: 1 should like just to read out to the Conference what the result is of the contributions which the Prime Ministers of the various Colonies will submit to their respective Parliaments towards the Imperial Memorial to the late Queen.

The Dominion of Canada

The Commonwealth of Australia New Zealand, not less than The Cape Colony

The Colony of Natal, not exceeding The Colony of Newfoundland

IMPROVED TRADE.

L 30,000

Reply not yet received.

15,000

20,000

10,000

2,000

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Then we have to consider a draft resolution in regard to improved trade. Perhaps I ought to put this in your hauds, Sir Wilfrid.

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Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Mr. Fielding will deal with this question on behalf of Canada.

Mr. FIELDING: At the last meeting it was suggested that the Colonial Prime Ministers should meet andendeavour to agree upon a resolution. That which I now submit is intended to represent their views. It is not a final draft, as it has not been in its present shape before all the Prime Ministers. Whether it exactly corresponds to their views they will say for themselves. It was prepared with the idea of a compromise and it is in that light that I present it, rather than as the special view of Canada.

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