CO885-(7-8) — Page 667

195

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PERFEFIC.O. 885

8

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

180

to any such resolution which might be brought forward to that effect. Then again, sir, I am quite willing to agree to the last resolution that we should give a pledge or guarantee that we shall bring the matter before our respective Parliaments at the earliest possible date. Whatever may be done in the way of steps taken to effect that, I think, so far as Natal is concerned, that is the agreement.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: I think, Sir Albert, you would be ready to accept the resolution which I brought forward last time?

Sir ALBERT HIME; Yes,

The SECRETARY OF STATE: I do not think it would be possible for me on behalf of His Majesty's Government to accopt this resolution as it stands.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: It can be printed, sir, for discussion.

T

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Have you got the one that I proposed ?

The SECRETARY then handed the copy of the draft resolution to the Secretary of State.

Sir ALBERT HIME: Is that your draft?

The SECRETARY OF STATE: This was drafted by me to submit to the Conference and was based upon several other drafts which have been presented, one from Canada and one from Mr. Seddon.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: We had better have this printed and then we can take it up at the next Conference and discuss it. I agree perhaps there was a difference amongst ourselves. Before we part there is some report about the metric system.

Sir ALBERT HIME: Yes, there is also the question of the publication of the Minutes.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Yes, there is the question of publication.

Mr. SEDDON : Do we meet again on Monday?

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Yes, I think on Monday at eleven o'clock would meet the convonier.ce of the Prime Ministers.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: Would it be possible to make it. Tuesday or Wednesday?

The SECRETARY OF STATE! Tuesday is the inspection.

Sir EDMUND BARTON: That is the afternoon.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Why I want to make it Monday is that we are getting so near the end of the time, and I thought if we could not get through on Monday we might meet again on Tuesday.

A

Sir EDMUND BARTON: I wanted to go out of town for the week end and I would not get back till the 10.40, so that I could not be here till after

Could you make it 15 or 20 minutes past 11 ?

11.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Make it half-past 11.

181

Mr. SEDDON: Fix it as you like; Monday or Tuesday will suit me.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Will you agree to meet on Monday afternoon after luncheon? I think if we meet at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon that would be convenient.

Mr. SEDDON: I wish to be excused, for I have made an engagement for

one o'clock to-day, and I am keeping 50 or 60 men waiting.

The SECRETARY OF STATE: Monday afternoon at 3, then.

Agreed.

Sir WILLIAM MULOCK: Then I will give notice of the following motion for next meeting

66

That it is advisable to adopt the metric system of weights "and measures for use within the Empire, and the Governments repre- "sented at this Conference will recommend the same to their respectivo

Governments for adoption as soon as expedient.”

Sir WILFRID LAURIER: You will have your draft resolution printed, Mr. Fielding?

Mr. FIELDING: Yes.

(Adjourned till Monday next at 3 p.m.)

2

TENTH DAY.

Monday, August 11th, 1902.

PRESENT:-

The Right Honourable J. CHAMBERLAIN, M.P., His Majesty's

Secretary of State for the Colonics.

The Right Honourable Sir WILERID Laurier, G.C.M.G., Prime Minister

of Canada.

The Right Honourable Sir EDMUND BARTON, G.C.M.G., D.C.L., Prime

Minister of Australia.

The Right Honourable R. J. SEDDON, Prime Minister of New Zealand. The Honourable Tuos. EKIN FULLER, for the Right Honourable Sir

J. GORDON SPRIGG, G.C.M.G, Prime Minister of Cape Colony,

The Right Honourable Sir ALBERT HIMĖ, K.C.M.Ģ.. Prime Minister of

Natul,

The Right Honourable Sir ROBERT BOND, K.C.M.G., Prime Minister of

Newfoundland.

The Earl of ONSLOW, G.C.M.G., Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

for the Colonies.

Sir M. F. OMMANNEY, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Permanent Under-Secretary of

State for the Colonies,

Sir JOHN ANDERSON, K.C.M.G., Secretary.

23

}