A—s

132

Fifth Day. 23 April 1907.

inventions and new developments in methods of coaling on the sea and at the coaling depots. But it is a subject to which I should like to direct the attention of the Prime Minister as one of the things which are of the greatest use to a fleet at sea. Gentlemen, I have come to you absolutely frankly to tell you how we hope to be able to meet you. lam anxious to hear what the representatives of the various colonies want to do. They have already put forward two resolutions, and I think it would be well that I should hear what they have to say, and I should also like to be made aware of what the representatives of each colony think as to how far they could meet the suggestions that I have ventured to make. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Will you first call upon Australia and New Zealand, as they have proposed resolutions ? Mr. DEAKIN : The resolutions of Australia and New Zealand, after all, are quite subsidiary to the main principles on which His Lordship has addressed us. Speaking for myself, may I say that I quite appreciate the frankness with which your Lordship has approached the subject, and the light you have thrown upon it. lam not surprised at the attitude of the Government, because I have sufficient familiarity with the references which you and also your colleagues have made to this great subject, but at the same time must admit my own want of competence to deal offhand with the major questions which you have raised, either directly or by necessary implication—they are of the first importance—without some little further consideration. The main views you have submitted, so far as I have followed them, relate to the question of colonial co-operation in the naval defence of the Empire. This divides itself into two parts : first, a provision for local defence, which again divides itself into the defence which is to be used, so to speak, by the localised bodies or other agencies, and next the localised Imperial Squadrons, if I may distinguish them by that title. Beyond these local defences comes the question of the possibility of a general defence not localised, upon an Imperial scale, whose obligations would be adapted to the varying circumstances of the different parts of the Empire—varying as between themselves, and varying again from those of the United Kingdom. Any consideration I have ever been able to give to this question has led me to the reluctant conclusion that so far we are unable to find any scheme of the measure of responsibility either particular or general. I would be very glad to be enlightened upon this subject. None of the assessments and estimates made for the purpose have appeared to me to include all the factors to be taken into account, or to have furnished anything like an exact proportion between them. Those are the main issues, as I follow them, which are inseparably associated with the scheme that you have submitted very clearly to us. Afterwards, when we have considered such general questions of contribution and co-operation, the matter which particularly interests New Zealand and ourselves, is as to the local form of that co-operation. Australia's responsibility is now fixed on a monetary standard, and we submit that this is not the most acceptable standard for Australia, nor is it likely to further the objects that we have, or the objects that you have, in maintaining the present contribution. But that, as already stated, is a-subsidiary question. The larger principle of the relations which self-governing Colonies should hold to the Imperial Naval Defence should first come under consideration, because that is the majqr premise of which the form of any contribution is after all only a minor matter. I must confess myself quite unable to criticize with sufficient pertinency the larger principle of this question at this moment.

Naval Defence. (Lord Tweedmouth.)