CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9] — Page 494

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nominees present on that occasion. If this cannot be arranged, the Colonies should, at least, have the right to send their representatives, elected by the Chamber of Commerce, home to advise the Secretary of State, who, in the scheme outlined by the Prime Minister will represent the Colonies at the Conference.

My Committee also consider that the Colony should

elect its own Hember of the Imperial Parliament".

In support of the above expressed desire of the Chamber of Commerce to have their nominee present at the Conference the following argumente may be urged:-

1. That it is impossible for any secretary of State, however gifted and experienced, to satisfactorily represent the views of over 50 Colonies and Protectorates, which differ widely from one another in their geographical, industrial and commercial conditions, as may be seen by comparing inter se Hongkong, Ceylon, Cyprus, the East African Protectorates, the Federated Malay States, Fiji, Mauritius, The West African Colonies, and the West Indies. 2. That Hongkong, in particular, is a Colony sui Generis, situated as it is on the borders of the vast country of China: and that it differs considerably in its trade conditions fren such comparatively near neighbours as the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and Ceylon, though sometimes grouped

with them.

Whilst it is realized that it might be impracticable to

give to every one of the representatives of such Crown Colonies

and Protectorates a separate vote in regard to any decisions

recorded at such Conference, such representatives might, it is

submitted, be fittingly conceded the right of audience so as to

enable them to lay before the meeting any special views and

requiremente of their own particular Crown Colony or Protectorate,

Such Colonial Representatives would also thus enjoy the

Tery great advantage of meeting the representatives of the United