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become, a body deciding on policy, which is and must remain the sole prerogative of the Cabinet, subject to the support of the House of Commons, But, at the same time we assured him that any Dominions Minister resident here would at all times have free and full access to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Colonial Secretary for information on all questions of Imperial policy. In a public speech which I made a short time BLO I used the following words :—

There is, on the part of Canadian Ministers and people, a natural and laudable desire for a greater measure of consultation and co-operation with us in the future than they have had in the past. This is not intended to, and it need not, open up those difficult problems of Imperial Federation which, seeming to entail questions of taxation and representation, have made that policy for many years a dead issue. But, speaking for myself, I see no obstacle, and certainly no objection, to the Governments of all the Dominions being given at once a larger share in the executive direction in matters of defence and in personal consultation and co-operation with individual British Ministers whose duty it is to frame policy here. I should welcome a more continuous representation of Dominions Ministers, if they wish it, upon the Committer of Imperial Defence; we should all be glad if a member or members of those Cabinets could be annually in London. The door of fellowship and friend- ship is always open to them and we require no formalities of an Imperial Conference for the continuity of Imperial confidence."

The foregoing accurately represents the views and intentions of His Majesty's Government.

From Mr. Borden's public speech in introducing the Canadian Naval Bill, it appears that he accepts the proposals which we have made. The same offer is, of course, open to all the other self-governing Dominions if and when they wish to adopt it, but the proposal is not one of necessary or strict uniformity and can be varied in the case of each or any Dominion to suit their wishes or the special circumstances of their case. I should be glad to know, at their convenience, whether your Ministers desire to adopt some such method of more continuous connexion in naval and military affairs with the Committee of Imperial Defence in the United Kingdom.

I have, &c.

L. HARCOURT.

[NOTE.—This despatch was telegraphed on 10th December, 1912, with the following addition :—

His Majesty's Government propose to publish this despatch here in a short time, and you will be informed of date when publication will take place.

No. 2.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.

(Sent 8.50 p.m., 10th December, 1912.)

TELEGRAM.

Please inform your Prime Minister that I have addressed following despatch by telegraph to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland, and have informed them that His Majesty's Government propose to publish despatch here within a short time and that date when publication will take place will be duly communicated.

[See No. 1.]

(27797—2.) Wt. 34506--G 241. 2300, 113. D & S.

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