A.—s

357

I move that resolution, Lord Elgin, and in doing so 1 would like to emphasise the mildness of it. lam not asking His Majesty's Government to oommit itself to anything except to consider the possibility of carrying into effect the object of the resolution. Mr. DEAKIN : In fact, all that you propose here is the granting of a like preference. Of course, the preference granted in South Africa was a preference by reduction of duties, not by increase of duties. Dr. JAMESON : Undoubtedly. Mr. DEAKIN: Consequently,, this Resolution is, when explained, narrower than might be supposed. It relates only to preference by reduction Is that your intention? Dr. JAMESON : That is our intention. Mr. DEAKIN : Under these circumstances, to take into consideration a proposal is something a Government does very frequently in the course of its life, and to take into consideration the possibility of granting preference, which amounts to a preference only by reduction, is surely something to which no objection can be taken. 1 hope the consideration will be favourable, or as favourable as the members of the Government can give it. Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I think, Dr. Jameson, that might be postponed. Put it on the table and postpone it until we come to the main Resolution. Dr. JAMESON : I am quite pleased to do that, but I merely wished to get it in before Mr. Lloyd George answered. CHAIRMAN : Nobody has moved anything yet ( Dr. JAMESON: No. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : But it is a notice of motion. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Lord Elgin and Gentlemen, —Dr. Jameson has not only raised a fresh issue, but he has presented it in quite a new form to the consideration of His Majesty's Government. But still lam afraid it is really presenting the same question to us in substance and in fact, and I think it is very important when we come to discuss matters of this kind that we should be perfectly frank with each other, and the only.way in which we can help each other is by recognising freely each other's difficulties and the position in which we are respectively placed in reference to those who have commissioned us to attend this Conference. Of course, I would not object personally —and I am sure His Majesty's Government would not object —to take into consideration any suggestion that came from a responsible Minister like Dr. Jameson, who represents an important Colony of the Empire. But it

Eleventh Day. 6 May 1907.

Preferential Trade. (Dr. Jftmeson.)