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MILITARY DEFENCE. CHAIRMAN : Gentlemen, the first business is to finally approve the Resolution on Military Defence which was before the meeting on Saturday last. I understand that there is some suggestion from Canada. Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : In the fourth line I would ask whether the words " to immediate action " do any particular good, and wdiether they might not be left out ( Mr. HALDANE :We thought that might be so. You mean missing out those words and going on to " any of the Governments " ? Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : Yes. Mr. HALDANE : I-do not think those words mean anything They look as if they suggested that there might be immediate action. Shall we strike out " without wishing to commit to immediate action " ? Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : Simply reading it as " without wishing to commit any of the Governments." Mr. HALDANE : Omitting the words " to immediate action." Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : Yes. Dr. JAMESON : Is there any harm in suggesting immediate action '. Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : Is it any good ? Dr. JAMESON : Yes, I think it is a kind of fillip towards doing something, and not only talking about it. Mr. HALDANE : I do not attach importance myself to it, one way or the other. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : " Without wishing to commit any of the Governments," I think it should be. CHAIRMAN : Omit the words "to immediate action." Is that agreed to ? Mr. F. R. MOOR : Ido not think it improves it. Sir FREDERICK BORDEN : Then as to the word " recruited," it seems to me " recruited "is hardly a word to apply to officers. " Selected " would, I think, be a better word. Mr. HALDANE : " Selected " is I think, a more appropriate word to apply to an officer. Mr. DEAKIN : Do we gain anything by retaining any of these words " without wishing to commit to immediate action any of the Governments " represented " ? Would it not be advantageous to omit those words, and possibly substitute some other words for " recognises and affirms," to indicate clearly the view of the Conference ?

Fifth Day. 23 April 1007.

Military Defence.