585

A.—s

Sir WILFRID LAURIER : That it does not call for inquiry "that to " this end the various Governments concerned should initiate concerted " inquiry into the proposals submitted." The first we limit. The second is that this communication should be through Canada, and from Canada with Australia by the best available means without specifying anything. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : That is committing us to this route as the best route without inquiry. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : If you want inquiry whether it is the best route or not this is exactly the object. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : That is committing us to the trans-continental route as the only route we can consider. We are not allowed to consider any other route. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : What other route could you consider if it is to be an " all red route " ? Sir WILFRID LAURIER : If you think there is another available route Ido not think lor anybody else is prepared to agree with that. We say that is the route. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : It is committing us to the scheme before we have had time to consider it. Sir JOSEPH WARD : We say it is a matter of policy to have a route through Canada. It is the only British country we can go through, and that is the country we want to get this service through if we can. As a matter of policy we want a British route; that is the route we wish to support, and if possible to obtain your support too. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I object to Mr. Lloyd George's proposal, because he wants to examine whether or not we should adopt another route or this route. We say there is no inquiry required. That is a question of policy we put before you to have an all British route, and this is the only British route possible. There is no other. CHAIRMAN : It seems to me your resolution would commit us to your proposals, even if the conditions were prohibitive. Sir WILFRID LAURTER : Not at all. Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : It is absolutely regardless of cost. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : No, put in a modification if the cost is too heavy. Ido not object to that. This is the route I use the words " available under existing circumstances." Mr. LLOYD GEORGE : If we are to go into this question, we shall have to take the advice of people who will tell us what the thing will cost, and we must have the figures before us. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Very well, " by the best service available within reasonable cost."

Fifteenth Day. 14 May 1907.

Mail Service to Australia and New Zealand via Canada.

75—A. 5.