A.—s

534

Fourteenth Day. 9 M»y 1907.

CHAIRMAN" : Perhaps I had better remind the Conference that the draft resolution submitted was : " That with a view to attain uniformity, so " far as practicable, an inquiry should be held to consider further the question of naturalization, and in particular to consider how far, and under "what conditions, naturalization in one part of His Majesty's Dominions " should be effective in other parts of those Dominions, a subsidiary Confer- " ence to be held, if necessaiy, under the terms of the resolution adopted by " this Conference on the 20th of April last." General BOTHA: I have a memorandum on naturalization which 1 should like to read and hand in, though I quite agree with that resolution Dr. SMARTT : If that is read, 1 think that will allow us to come to some conclusion now. CHAIR MA N : Would you hand in it ( Dr. SMARTT : It affects the discussion considerably, I think. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : My colleague, Mr. Brodeur, has something to say on this subject. It will perhaps fit in at this moment. Mr. BRODEUR: Lord Elgin and gentlemen, I have only one or two observations to make with regard to this resolution moved on the question of naturalization. I may say we have passed in Canada this year a Bill on the question of naturalization to this effect. I may perhaps read the most important part of the Bill, which provides : " Any person resident in Canada, " or in the service of the Government of Canada, or of any province of " Canada, who has obtained a certificate or letters of naturalization in the United Kingdom, or in any part thereof, or in any British Colony or " Possession, which certificate or letters remain or remains in full force and " effect, and who desires to be naturalized in Canada may, if he intends when " naturalized either to reside in Canada or to serve under the Government of " Canada or the Government of any such province, apply for a certificate of " naturalization in manner hereinafter prescribed, without having complied "with the condition as to residence required under section 13 of the " Naturalization Act, chapter 77 of the revised statutes, 1906." Our Act really provides that a person who has resided in Canada for three years may obtain letters of naturalization, giving certificates as to his character, and as to his residence. He has to apply to the Courts, and the Courts decide whether under the statute he is entitled to be naturalized. We passed in the session which has just closed the clause which I have just read, by which in the future a man to be naturalized who has got already a letter of naturalization from any British Colonies, will be entitled to come before the Courts and to have his certificate of naturalization in Canada, so to a general extent we are accepting the certificate of naturalization which has been given by the other British Colonies. I do not know whether it is advisable or not that we should discuss the Bill which is proposed to by introduced into the House of Commons here, but I think that Section 7 is going a little further than I, for my part, would be willing it should go, because there it is declared that when a certificate of naturalization has been given here it is to be accepted by the Colonies themselves. I think it would be just as well to leave this question entirely in the hands of the Colonies. It will he advisable perhaps to have a general law, as we are having in Canada, but at the same time giving to the Colonies the

Naturalisation.