65

A.—s

be arranged for internally in the Colonial Office, there should certainly be a division of administration. If the self-governing Colonies were separated from the Crown Colonies to a very large extent the desires of the country I represent would be met. The matter is one for internal reform or alteration of the methods carried out in the home Office. As I said, I will not presume to suggest how that should be done. I think the whole point might be met in this way. I recognise that the Colonial Office in connection with the work of this important Colonial Conference, would require to have a very great deal of control between the meetings of the Conferences. I would suggest, however, in order to try and arrive at the point Mr. Deakin is alluding to, that a portion of this motion be altered. Instead of tying it down by resolution as to under whose direction it should be, strike out the words " under the direction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies," and let it stand " by means of a permanent secretarial staff charged with "the duty of obtaining information for the use of the Conference." Then I take it that after the conclusion of this Conference the Colonial Office might see its way to separate the administration of the Crown Colonies and the self-governing Colonies; and whoever is charged with the duty of the secretarial work would be under the control of a responsible Minister, say the Secretary of State for the Colonies. For my part I think the point referred to by Mr. Deakin would in this way be met. There is a natural desire on the part of the Governments of the self-governing Colonies to have what one may term a more distinct recognition of what we are trying to carry on in our respective spheres. To a very large extent what I want would be met if it were to get out of the position of the self-governing countries of being regarded as on a par with the Crown Colonies. lam not saying a word in derogation of the great Crown Colonies—very far from it; they may become as great or greater than the countries we are referring to at the moment. It has application to self-governing Colonies generally. I want to impress upon the members of the Conference that I feel this would be an improvement upon the present system. We might perhaps arrive at a decision on this important matter, so that we might go on to some of the other practical matters we have still to discuss. I merely offer that suggestion with a view r to leaving the method of appointing a permanent secretary open, and the matter would then be under the control of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to do what he thought proper after this Conference adjourns. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : May I ask you to suggest how that improves it ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : Ido not suggest that it improves it. I want to leave it open. Mr. DEAKIN : At all events, if you take out the words' " under the " direction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies," you postpone the question for the time being. Sir JOSEPH WARD : It would be then "by means of a permanent " secretarial staff charged with the duty of obtaining information for the use " of the Conference " ? Mr. DEAKIN : Yes.

10—A. 5.

Third Day. 18 April 1907.

Future Constitution of the Conference. (Sir Joseph Ward.)