323

A.—s

as to what may be called the development of Imperial commercial intelligence. Mr. Lloyd George has already taken steps, but I hope by consultation with you, and with Mr. Deakin's assistance particularly, we may be able to develop that on a much larger scale, because i think it is a monstrous thing that in our own Colonies the foreign tout —if I may use a common expression—going about to look after business can find one of his own nationality to give him all the information he needs for the prosecution of his business, while a Briton or a Colonial who goes to another Colony finds no corresponding facilities. That is one of the things that urgently needs reform, and which cannot be too strongly insisted upon, and which 1 think we are very much indebted to you for having brought so clearly before our notice. Again there is this great question—and I do not like, particularly in the presence of Sir James Mackay, to definitely commit myself about it—which affectb the Antipodes very much, the question of tfic Suez Canal and the possibility of doing something to cheapen and facilitate the means of communicating through that great waterway. There is the question referred to by Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and also I think by Mr. Deakin, of what I may call inter-Imperial communication. You will not expect me at this stage to commit myself definitely to any particular scheme, but I can assure you that the proposals which Sir Wilfrid Laurier has adumbrated, and which were referred to by other speakers yesterday, are so important and so interesting, and appeal so strongly to the sympathy, and the intentions of His Majesty's Government, that if they can be reduced into a practical form and shown to be of a workable character, you will find no lack of co-operation, nor —I may safely add I think, though I am Chancellor of the Exchequer—any lack of the necessary material assistance on our part in order to bring them into effect, We are most anxious to assist in all those ways. Take another great question, the question of emigration. Ido not know whether the Conference has already dealt with that. Mr. DEAKIN : We have, in part. Mr. ASQUITH : That is a most important matter, and a matter as to which there ought to be constant co-operation between the Imperial authorities and the different local communities. I only mention that, not as an exhaustive catalogue, but as an illustration of the ways in which we not only might, but ought, as the Government responsible for the Mother Country, to do all in our power to develop and promote better commercial relations between all parts of the Empire. I can assure you, and lam speaking quite sincerely, that it is a most thankless task for a Minister in my position to combat propositions which are concurred in by so large an amount of representative opinion in different parts of the- Empire. It is not an agreeable duty at all, but it is one I am bound to perform to my colleagues, and to the House of Commons, and to the country. But, having stated to you quite frankly, and without any reservation or qualification, what our position in that matter is, I can assure you that in all these other directions we are only too ready and anxious to receive and entertain, and so far as we can to co-operate, in carrying into practical effect any suggestions which your combined wisdom may bring before us. I thank you very much, gentlemen, for the indulgence with which you have listened to me to-day. Mr. DEAKIN : Might I ask one question, having special reference to the exceedingly interesting points which you have just made. I notice that you have for one reason or another excluded from reference the proposition once associated with these various suggestions as to Imperial inter-communication

Tenth Day. 2 Mi \-^1907.

Preferential Trade. (Mr. Asquith.)