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Sir ROBERT BOND : I would like to ask Sir Wilfrid Laurier if he is wedded to any particular scheme or any particular proposal. I ask that question because the Colony that I represent has already entered into a contract with reputable people in this City for the purpose of carrying out a short line scheme to connect Great Britain with the American Continent by the shortest and fastest route. We have gone so far as to offer a considerable subsidy in cash as well as in lands and minerals, and I should not like to have that proposal excluded from the consideration of His Majesty's Government by any resolution to be proposed here. I understand that the contractors have already approached His Majesty's Government in reference to that matter. If they have not done so, I know they intend doing so, and I now ask that that proposal may receive due consideration, and that the Resolution be so worded as to admit of such. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I have not defined it; it may be this or that. We want a good service between England and Canada. As I know, there is a project via- Newfoundland, but I do not object to that being considered. CHAIRMAN : I hope the Conference understands that the resolution read by Mr. Lloyd George does not take up the expert view which was objected to. It is an inquiry simply which is desired by concerted action between all the Governments. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : Really to find out how much money would be required Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : How much it would cost and how much each Colony would contribute. CHAIRMAN : I had better read the two resolutions. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : I think it is a great pity we should not arrive at some unanimous decision to enable us to go on with the matter. The two conflicting resolutions will leave the thing quite in the air. CHAIRMAN : Sir Wilfrid Laurier's resolution, as he proposed it, is : " That in the opinion of this Conference the interests of the Empire demand "that, in so far as practicable, its different portions should be connected "by the best possible means of mail communication, travel, and trans- " portation." Mr. DEAKIN : Why not put that part now ? CHAIRMAN : I will read the whole thing. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I understand the first is accepted. CHAIRMAN : " That to this end steps should be immediately taken to " establish a fast service from Great Britain to Canada and through Canada "to Australia and New Zealand and also to China and Japan, that such "service upon the Atlantic Ocean should be carried on by means of " steamships equal in speed and character to the best now m existence, and " upon the Pacific Ocean by steamships of a speed as nearly equal to the " Atlantic service as circumstances will permit; that for the purpose of

Fifteenth Day. 14 May 1907.

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