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Bth Day.] [13th June, 1911. • The CHAIRMAN: Gentlemen, lam asked to say that Resolution of the Commonwealth of Australia, No. 12, raises the question of the co-operation and mutual relations between the military forces of the United Kingdom and those of the Dominions. The Government of Australia have also indicated certain subjects which they desire to discuss with representatives of the War Office, and which fall under the head of the resolution. The General Staff have prepared memoranda upon certain of these subjects which affect the Dominions generally, and it has been arranged that a meeting should take place at the War Office at 10.30 to-morrow, Wednesday, over which Sir William Nicholson, the Chief of the General Staff, will preside, for the consideration of the subjects treated in the memoranda by representatives of the Dominions. Such of the Australian subjects as may require individual discussion could be taken separately at another time if desired. Any conclusions which may be arrived at during the meeting would be brought up to the Conference, as was done in the case of a similar meeting held during the Defence Conference of 1909. Mr. BATCHELOR : The subjects for general discission are to be brought up to-morrow, and the Australian subjects can be taken afterwards. The CHAIRMAN : If necessary, and if it is found desirable. I understand Mr. Batohelor is prepared to deal with the resolution to-day on Naturalisation. General BOTHA : With regard to to-morrow, I shall not be able to attend, nor do I think Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Edward Morris will. I believe we have accepted an invitation to go to Cambridge to-morrow. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Yes. General BOTHA : The three of us. The CHAIRMAN: I understood this fixture had been already made in consultation with members of the Conference. General BOTHA : I did not know it. The CHAIRMAN : Is not Mr. Malan able to take it on behalf of South Africa ? Mr. MALAN : I knew about this appointment of the three Prime Ministers at Cambridge to-morrow. If the Conference is prepared to go on with the discussion without these Prime Ministers, or if these three Prime Ministers do not object, then we could do it, but otherwise I do not think we could go on. The CHAIRMAN : What about you, Sir Joseph ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : I shall be away. Dr. Findlay could attend. Dr. EINDLAY : It is not a matter upon which I know much. The CHAIRMAN : Would it be your wish to try and fix some other day ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : I think it would be better. General BOTHA: Is it the general question that you want to discuss and advance to-morrow, or is it solely Australian subjects ? Mr. BATCHELOR : No, the Australian subjects are postponed to a later day. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Why not take the Australian subjects to-morrow and let us have another day for the general discussion ?

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