A—s

610

Fifteenth Day. 14 May 1907.

Mr. BUXTON : There was an original Conference in 1903. To that we did not adhere because we thought it was premature and had no legislation to carry out any conclusion they came to, but it was generally understood to be a preliminary Conference. That Conference agreed to a protocol, which formed the basis of the draft proposal for the new Conference which was called last October. The draft Convention I have spoken of all through is based upon the protocol of 1903. Mr. DEAKIN : The one for which you are responsible, which you recommend, and which has been considered by the Committee, is the amended Convention of 1906 ! Mr. BUXTON : Yes. Mr. DEAKIN : That is now being disposed of by the Committee of the House of Commons ? . Mr. BUXTON : 1 think only two Articles out of the whole of the draft Convention have not been altered, in some cases entirely reversed, between the draft and the amended Convention at the instigation of the British delegates. Mr. BRODEUR : I understand at the next sitting of the Conference you will discuss the question of the representation of the Colonies; it has not been disposed of. Mr. BUXTON : Yes, that is the first thing. The question of the maximum of votes has been discussed. The question how these votes shall be allotted has not been discussed. In regard to voting, it would have been physically impossible for that question to be discussed at the last Conference, because all Colonies have liberty to come in or not, and nobody knows yet who is coming in, and therefore it would be idle to allot votes to Newfoundland or Canada until we knew whether they were coming in or not. Mr. DEAKIN : Did you fix a meeting without leaving it open ? Mr. BUXTON : Yes. Sir JOSEPH WARD : As far as I am concerned, th<* information which has been adduced is very valuable. Mr. BUXTON : I am glad to have had the opportunity of clearing up some misapprehensions which have arisen. Mr. DEAKIN : It is evident that the memorandum placed before me related to the original Convention and not to the amended Convention. . Mr. BUXTON : No doubt the Colonial Office sending it made it clear it does not come into force for 18 months and, therefore, it did not appear urgent. Mr. BRODEUR : I understand it was simply communicated to us and we were not asked to make any representations with regard to the Convention.

Wireless Telegraphy.