277

A.—s

possible, to see a closer union on practical lines consummated. We can only do it by bearing our own part of it, and we are prepared to do it. The advantages are mutual and they are of as great importance to England as they are to the Colonies. It is because of the importance to all parts of the Empire—not directly India or South Africa in this case, perhaps—that I earnestly urge it. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : How would you bring New Zealand within 20 days of England ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : We can do it across the Atlantic from England, then overland through Canada, and then across the Pacific. We can do it without any difficulty whatever. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Within'2o days i Sir JOSEPH WARD : Yes, within 20 days. Sir Wilfrid Laurier will agree with me that it can be done. Four days and nights to Canada, four days and nights across Canada, and 12 days on the Pacific to New Zealand. It is capable of being effected without any difficulty whatever, providing we all co-operate to enable it to be done. Steamers can be provided of a size and speed that can bring New Zealand within 20 days of England. If you want to come close together, it is necessary that large capital should be invested and powerful vessels obtained on both sides of Canada. We in New Zealand are prepared to do our part to the fullest possible extent. Australia would, lam sure, be prepared to do their part. And so is Canada, as I understand from Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Would that be for the purpose of carryinggoods ? Sir JOSEPH W T ARD : No, passengers and possibly some goods; certainly from England to Canada and from Vancouver to the Colonies. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : These steamers would carry some goods. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Would it pay to carry goods \ They would have to discharge the cargo at Vancouver and put it on to the Canadian Pacific Railway, and then discharge at Halifax. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Yes, but it could be done : it is done now. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : There would be so much labour involved in handling the goods. Sir WILFRID LAURIER; There is more labour involved; but the idea would be to have services equal to the best services between England and New York, so that the voyage between Canada and England should occupy four days. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : I am thinking of the labour of discharging the goods at Vancouver and putting then on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and then discharging again at Halifax and putting them on another line of steamers.

Ninth Day. 1 May 1907.

Preferential Trade. (Sir Joseph Ward.)