A.—s

84

Mr. DEAKIN : That practically meets the proposal, though I should like to have the opportunity of speaking to the Secretary of the Committee of Defence who has not only a national, but an established Australian reputation, before this is finally disposed of. It appears to be completely satisfactory. CHAIRMAN : I think the members of the Conference understand that the Committee of Imperial Defence is a body which consists of one permanent member, the Prime Minister, and the other members are summoned as occasion requires. Therefore, this proposition really deals with the Colonial question on exactly the same principle. Sir JOSEPH WARD : When will that come up for consideration ? CHAIRMAN : I do not know*whether it requires any more consideration. Mr. DEAKIN : I want to speak to the Secretary upon it. CHAIRMAN : That is all I have to say as to the Committee. Military defence is the subject of the next meeting, and naval defence is part of the business for next week. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : With regard to the resolution we have just agreed upon, 1 would like to call attention to the fact that we have not at all settled what is to be the status of the Colonial Ministers in London. Sir William Lyne brought that matter forward, and we have left it at present. CHAIRMAN : I thought at the time we dealt with that question I pointed out I only mentioned the ex officio members, but the whole resolution means that there is to be discussion between the Governments, and the representatives of the Governments other than the ex officio members will attend, and I thought it was understood—and I think you, Sir Wilfrid, initiated it —that the particular question of the actual manner in which the other Ministers should come in should be deferred beyond this resolution and taken separately. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : At that time I had in my mind that we should not pass this finally, but the matter is left altogether absolutely unsettled. Mr. DEAKIN : I proposed to bring it forward myself, only we became absorbed in this discussion. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : If that is so we shall have to think it over a little more. CHAIRMAN : I hope if you do wish to alter the resolution on that particular point it will not mean that we shall have more than a third reading. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : We have practically agreed to it, but the other is a point of some practical importance, and we ought to come to some clear understanding about it.

Third Day. 18 April 1907.

Future Constitution of THE Conference.