297

A.—s

Sir JOSEPH WARD : I suggest you might group those matters together. The question regarding the metric system, in view of the interview we had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I should think could be disposed of in 10 minutes; and we might, if they are all grouped together, finish all these questions in one morning. Mr. DEAKIN : There are one or two matters I asked information about as to the commercial treaties which have been concluded. CHAIRMAN : That point comes really subsequent to this discussion. Mr. Lloyd George is prepared for that. • Mr. DEAKIN : Then there is the question which is now associated with that of the Secretariat, but was started independently of it, with reference to the possible exchange of officials between the Colonial Office and the several departments of the Empire. CHAIRMAN : That also we have on the list, But I wanted to ascertain from the members of the Conference what days next week are at our disposal. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : So far as I am concerned I think we are ready every day. CHAIRMAN : Up to Thursday. Mr. DEAKIN : And further if necessary. CHAIRMAN : Some of the members are going to leave on Thursday. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I am due in Edinburgh on Friday morning. CHAIRMAN : I think we probably can arrange for the first four days of next week to exhaust the matters still left to be discussed. At any rate I will arrange on that footing that we will take either Naturalization cr other subjects on Monday, and some of the other subjects on Tuesday, and the Admiralty subject on Wednesday. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Then we sit on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. CHAIRMAN : Yes. Perhaps, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer has not yet arrived we might hear the representative of India, if the Conference have no objection.

PREFERENTIAL TRADE. Sir JAMES MACKAY : Lord Elgin and gentlemen. Ever since the proposal that Great Britain should impose a general import tariff, and should admit without taxation, or at a lower rate of duty, imports from British

39—A. 5.

Tenth Day. 2 May 1907.

Preferential Trade.