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sth Day.] Standing Committee. [8 June, 1911. Mr. FISHEE : Before you close this discussion Sir JOSEPH WARD : It is not closed yet, because my motion now comes forward. The CHAIRMAN : Yes, you can take any part of your motion you wish to. Sir JOSEPH WARD : That is the position, I think ? The CHAIRMAN : Yes. Mr. FISHER : I should just like to ask before we pass from this whether this negative action will not forbid also your having any monthly conferences ? The CHAIRMAN : No, I do not think so. We also have already on record the decision of the previous Conference, which I imagine is not going to be repealed by this one : " That upon matters of importance requiring consultations between two or more Governments which cannot conveniently be postponed until the next Conference, or involving subjects of a minor character or such as call for detailed consideration, subsidiary conferences shall be held between representatives of the Governments concerned specially chosen for the purpose " Mr. FISHER : I do confess that I like this machinery distinctly better than that, and I can only add to what I have already said, and I think my colleagues will entirely agree with it, that this is a possible improvement of the machinery that would enable the views of the Dominions to be conveyed to you and to each other, and discussed with each other, eliminating the chaff before the matter is presented to the Government —that is, during the interval between the Conferences. It is fairly set out in the memorandum that they would only act under the advice and instruction of their own Governments, but I quite recognise what you have said, Sir, that unless we can get a nearer vote it is no use proposing it. The CHAIRMAN : Sir Joseph, do you wish to proceed with parts of your resolution ? Sir JOSEPH WARD • I desire to say a word or two in reply on the resolution I have submitted, and that will bring the discussion to a conclusion perhaps. The CHAIRMAN : Yes. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I have listened to the discussion with a very great deal of interest, and if the position were such as it is supposed to be by some of the gentlemen who represent their respective countries, then I am bound to say I would be in accord with them, and should be taking up a similar attitude; but there appears to me to be an extraordinary misconception in connection with the proposals as you outlined them to the Conference, the nature of which some of the members overlook, or else I am sure they would not misrepresent it intentionally, and rhere is going on record a statement which is quite contrary to the procedure which is followed. Now let me take the case which is made in this memorandum of the suggested representation of the permanent officials connected with the Home Government and of the representatives from the different countries on the Committee. At the present moment what would the procedure be? It is quite certain that that Committee would advise the Secretary of State; it is equally certain, under the proposal, that the Secretary of State would communicate with the overseas Dominions; and it is equally certain under the proposal that the Governments of the oversea Dominions retain the supreme power of decision upon any of