351

A—s

Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Shall we take up the treaty question on Monday morning ? CHAIRMAN : I understood the Chancellor of the Exchequer would prefer to have Tuesday, but if you will allow me I will communicate with him and fix either Monday or Tuesday. Sir WILFRID LAURIER . If you could take up this question on Monday it would be preferable, I think. CHAIRMAN : I proposed that we should take naturalization and other subjects on Monday. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : It must either be Monday or Wednesday for me. Have you enough to go on with on the Monday ? CHAIRMAN : It has been suggested once or twice in the course of the discussion that we should-have a publication of this debate, and I have to say that, so far as we are concerned, we have no objection, if the Colonial representatives have not, and, of course, the interval will probably allow this to be in your hands. Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL : It is not proposed to publish until the debates are complete. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE ; I wish it to be distinctly understood that the whole of the Government case has not been presented, although I am not vain enough to think that my argument is going to affect the thing at all.

IMPERIAL SURTAX ON FOREIGN IMPORTS. Mr. DEAKIN : I was suggesting to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to-day that possibly before this debate concluded, as it is closely related, although rather as a substitute than a development of our proposals, we should consider the proposition originally submitted by Mr. Hofmeyr, afterwards elaborated by Sir George Sydenham Clarke, and since more or less favourably criticised by different writers. The proposition is to impose 1 per cent, or some small duty of that sort all over the Empire, the proceeds of which should be devoted to Imperial purposes in each country in proportion to the sum raised. This may be looked at from several points of view, and if'we are unable to obtain any possible preference, reciprocal or otherwise, from the British Government, might it not be worth while to look into this question? It would fulfil some of the ideas and aspirations expressed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself for unity of action in connection with improved means of communication, cables, steam services, and the like, because by this means the funds for that development could be provided without in the least degree affecting the fiscal policy of any of the countries concerned. It does not touch the fiscal question in any way, because the 1 per cent., or whatever was agreed upon, would still be levied in connection not only with any existing tariff, but irrespective of any alteration of the tariff. I mean an extra 1 per cent, imposed on all foreign goods and disbributed in proportion to the contributions made. Dr. SMARTT : You put 1 per cent, upon everything. Mr. DEAKIN : Yes, on everything. I might mention, in conclusion—l could not launch into a debate at this moment—that there is one further possibility—that if in the United Kingdom that proposal was not favoured

Tenth Day. 2 May 1907.

Imperial Surtax on Foreign Imports.