A.—s.

88

Fourth Day. •_'o April 1907.

FUTURE CONSTITUTION OF THE CONFERENCE. CHAIRMAN : Gentlemen, we have met at an earlier hour this morning in order that we might formally adjust the Resolution which was, in principle, accepted at our last meeting. I have endeavoured to get it so far as I could into shape in certain details that the Conference desired, and it has been in your hands, and I shall be glad to hear if there are any remarks to be made. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I am satisfied with it so far as Canada is concerned. Sir Robert Bond might not have had the facility, perhaps, of perusing the discussions. Ido not know whether he has or not. Sir ROBERT BOND : No, I have not fully perused the discussion, Sir Wilfrid. I only received the papers this morning, and consequently but glanced through them. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : The question which we have been discussing, Sir Robert Bond, has been the creation of an Imperial Council, and we have come to the conclusion that this was not advisable, and this is what we have drafted, endeavouring to meet as far as we could the different opinions that have prevailed. I observe, Sir Robert, that in the despatch that you sent in answer to the Colonial Office despatch on this subject you do not seem to favour the creation of such a Council. This is what we have practically agreed to subject to modification, of course, nothing being settled until it is finally passed : " That it will be to the advantage of the Empire " if Conferences to be called Imperial Conferences are held every four years " at which questions of common interest may be discussed and considered " as between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the selffoverning Dominions. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom will c ex officio President, and the Prime Ministers of the self-governing " Dominions ex officio members of the Conference. The Secretary of State " for the Colonies will be an ex officio Member of the Conference, and will " take the chair in the absence of the President, and will arrange for such " Imperial Conferences after communication with the Prime Ministers of " the respective Dominions." This paragraph, so far as it goes, meets with the approval of Canada : " Such other Ministers as the respective Govern- " ments may appoint will also be members of the Conference — it being " understood that except by special permission of the Conference, each dis- " cussion will be conducted by not more than two representatives from each " Government, and that each Government will have only one vote." CHAIRMAN : That part was not before the last meeting. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : So far as I am concerned I may say at once that I am satisfied with this. CHAIRMAN : I think Sir Robert Bond has seen it, Sir ROBERT BOND : I have it before me, and I may observe that Lord Elgin showed me last evening this Resolution, when I intimated to him that with the principle involved I concurred. CHAIRMAN : If you are taking it paragraph by paragraph, there is just a small matter Mr. Deakin has mentioned to me. It is only to break up the last sentence, and he suggests there should be a stop after the word " President "—" The Secretary of State for the Colonies will be an ex officio " member of the Conference and will take the chair in the absence of the " President." It is quite true that the last part of the sentence has not a

Future Constitution of the ( (inference.