155

A.—s

is given is given indiscriminately, and that those who are anxious to go to North or South America beyond our territories, and beyond the Flag, are practically as much assisted and encouraged as if they were going to Colonies within the Empire. I cannot myself vouch for that statement, but am so informed by some of those who have been associated with their going. Uneler these circumstances, we put forward our first plea, which is that for all our sakes the stream of emigration from the Mother Country ought to be directed as much as possible towards some portion of the King's Dominions, and it ought not to be assisted in any way towards the Dominions of any other Power. That is the purpose of the first portion of our resolution : " That it is desirable to encourage British emigrants to proceed to " British Colonies rather than to foreign countries." Ido not know whether it would meet your wishes, and the wishes of the rest of the Conference, if I stop here, so that this question in which we are all interested, and on which we can all speak, may be settled before passing to the second part, which relates to further action by the Imperial Government. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : There will be no contrary opinion, I think, to that proposal. I think we can all accept it as granted at once : " That it " is desirable to encourage British emigrants to proceed to British Colonies " rather than to foreign countries." Everybody would agree to that. Mr. DEAKIN : I should hope so. May we take that as passed ? Sir WILFRID LAURIER : What will it lead to '. I look upon this simply as a preliminary. Mr. DEAKIN : If that is settled I will then proceed with the second part. Sir JOSEPH WARD : 1 want to say something on it somewhere. Mr. DEAKIN : Would it be on the first part ( Sir JOSEPH WARD : Either on the first part or the second part. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I do not think there is anything to say against this part. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Only there are some general points on which 1, as representing New Zealand, should like to say a word or two. Like Sir Wilfrid Laurier I most cordially assent to the first part, but it is just a question whether we should not discuss the whole matter on the first proposal. Dr. JAMESON : The second portion is the practical part. Would it not be well to have some practical suggestion from Australia before going into the discussion, to save going all over it again? Sir JOSEPH WARD : I support the first part generally. CHAIRMAN : I do not think there is any dissent on the first part ( Sir JOSEPH WARD : No.

Sixth Day. 28 April 1907.

Emigration. (Mr. Deakin.)