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" carrying the above project into effect such financial support as may be " necessary should be contributed by Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and " New Zealand in equitable proportions." His Majesty's Government suggests that it should be run in this way : " That in the opinon of " this Conference the interests of the Empire demand that, in so far as prac- " ticable, its different portions should be connected by the best possible means of " mail communication, travel, and transportation ; that to this end the various " Governments concerned should initiate concerted inquiry into the proposals submitted to the Conference for establishing a fast service from " Great Britain to Canada, and through Canada to Australia and New " Zealand, and the financial support which will be necessary for the purpose " of maintaining such a service, and also into any other proposals for similar " purposes which may be submitted by any of the Governments concerned." That covers Sir Robert Bond's position, I think. Sir ROBERT BOND : I think that is preferable to the resolution proposed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : That will cover the route to Australia through the Suez Canal. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : Australia has very little to do with Japan and China. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : I know, but that is not part of our proposal. CHAIRMAN : Do you see your way to accept that, Sir Wilfrid ? Sir WILFRID LAURIER : lam sorry that we cannot agree. I hope we may agree upon something. Perhaps we can after all; it only wants making an effort. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : I hope it may be possible. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I must ask you at once to limit the inquiry. An inquiry means simply delay. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : Then we can go on to propose the method of inquiry. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : Limit the inquiry as to the time for reporting upon it. Mr. DEAKIN : Let us do all we can to agree. Perhaps I might occupy a moment with a not irrelevant suggestion which has been made, and, as far as I know, not considered, certainly on our side. Sir Joseph Ward has put forward so clearly that it is not necessary to repeat it, the case that can be made for a reduction of the dues in the Suez Canal. It is pointed out to me, on the best information, that those dues are levied on the capacity of the ship —the cargo capacity, whether loaded or not, and the passenger accommodation, whether occupied or not. I understand that the levy on the cargo capacity stands by itself; it measures the capacity of the vessel at its customary standard; but there seems to be force in the contention that it would be a fair thing to suggest that so far as passenger accommodation is concerned

Fifteenth Day. 14 May 1907.

Mail Service to Australia and New Zealand via Canada. (Chairman.)