A.—s

528

their greater experience more than I am able to suggest at the present time. lam tied to nothing. Let us do something definite so that when we leave the Conference, we can say with some confidence : " We have not done the things " we wanted, but we have at least made the way easier in future for any " of those practical projects to be dealt with immediately without the delay " which now invariably" accompanies the correspondence in making even an " approach to joint action by our governments." Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL : How is not that met by the fourth clause of the instrument governing the Imperial Conference, which provides that upon subjects which cannot be conveniently postponed a new Conference of representatives shall be held between Governments concerned. Does not that cover it ! Mr. DEAKIN : It could cover it, but has not been expressly held to apply before. CHAIRMAN : That is the intention of it. Mr. DEAKIN :That is the intention. It leaves them irregular, and not as I wished regular and constantly in operation. Your statement shows you are prepared to adopt something. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE ; And there is the readiness of the Imperial Government to put it into black and white. Is it not advantageous to have what Mr. Churchill has just said applied to this particular subject ? That is the use of the particular resolution which I proposed. Mr. WINSTON CHURCHILL : That is putting it in black and white twice over. Mr. DEAKIN : No, the first is a general resolution. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Yes, about the organisation of this subsidiary Conference. This is simply a suggestion that this would be a proper subject to be dealt with at the subsidiary Conference. Mr. DEAKIN : The President of the Board of Trade pointed out what he was doing in reference to commercial intelligence within the Empire, and the new efforts he is going to make to extend the system That seems on right lines, and admirable. Now we have attention called to the fact that the machinery'of subsidiary Conferences is to be applied in the same direction; that is excellent, too. But I want this thing not to be talked out here, but defined and understood. When we return and are asked what we have done with regard to practical co-operation among our governments in the future, we can only point to the Consular Service within the Empire as well as without it, with a provision for subsidiary Conferences. I thought subsidiary Conferences on these practical matters was always possible. I want to add to that. Let us make our collection of scalps as numerous as we can, showing we have met these difficulties, and disposed of them. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : I understand that Sir Wilfrid Laurier proposes before the Conference separates to propose a pracl ical scheme. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I hope so. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : I hope you will let us have it in time to give it proper consideration. Dr. JAMESON : That is no reason why we should not pass this general resolution. Sir WILFRTD LAURTER : I desire to let it stand over until we have something more.

Fourteenth Day. 9 May 1907.

Impkri v. Surtax on Fork-ion Imports. (Mr. Di-itkin.)