A.—4.

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Ith Day.] Law of Conspiracy. [12 June, 1911. Mr. FISHER : I think we might leave it to you. Mr. BRODEUR: I think in a case like that it could be easily done. You might communicate with the country in which this illegal business is carried on, and perhaps that country, by its statute law, would be willing to pass legislation. Mr. BATCHELOR: It should be reciprocal. Mr. HARCOURT : For proceedings to be taken for conspiracy ? Mr. FISHER : I have a few delicate feelings in dealing with conspiracy laws in general terms. The PRESIDENT : I daresay you have. Mr. FISHER : Although this is a particular case regarding smuggling alien immigrants, there are also cases of defeating our Customs Act by conspiracy in other countries, which are all very delicate questions. That is the reason why it might not be unwise to ask the Government to co-operate with us. We brought it up here because we are trying to get some via media to meet these cases. The LORD CHANCELLOR : You mean by arrangement with the other States ? Mr. FISHER : As far as practicable. The LORD CHANCELLOR : That is a matter for the Colonial Secretary. Mr. HARCOURT : I shall be glad to communicate with Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements on this special question of stowaways and see if we can make the law even more effective than it is now. I believe there have been only three cases, involving 10 men, in the last three years. Mr. BATCHELOR : Cases were not brought forward because it was not any bringing them forward, although we had the clearest evidence of conspiracy in China. Mr. FISHER : We did not bring any more forward because of the decision Mr. Batchelor referred to. Mr. BATCHELOR : That settled it. The PRESIDENT : What you really want is that as far as possible the Imperial Government should communicate with the non-self-governing parts of the Empire. You can arrange with the self-governing parts yourselves. Mr. FISHER : That is so. The PRESIDENT: To see whether it is practicable for them by appropriate legislation to prevent such abuses as you have indicated. Mr. FISHER : That is so. The PRESIDENT : With that understanding you withdraw the resolution as it stands ? Mr. FISHER: Yes. Adjourned to to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.