A.—4,

344

10th Day.] Commercial Relations and British Shipping. [16 June, 1911Mr. FISHER : I should like to add that this is a Commission the expenses of which should not fall entirely upon the Government of the United Kingdom. I want to say on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, that.we endorse this as a sound principle, and we hope we shall be allowed to contribute our share of the expenses of that Commission. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I most cordially agree. The PRESIDENT : That is a very handsome suggestion. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Because the work of this Commission, though we have a smaller interest than Great Britain, is as much to our benefit as it is to the Homeland, and, I think, with Mr. Fisher, we should each pay our share. Mr. FISHER : It is a sound principle, I think. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : As I say, I find no objection to adopting the amendment suggested. The reasons set forth by Sir Joseph Ward seem to be very strong on this point, and therefore I agree. The PRESIDENT: Then it is the pleasure of the Conference that Sir Wilfrid Laurier's Resolution, with the added words, should be adopted as the Resolution of the Conference. Mr. FISHER : Then there is the question of the number of Commissioners. The PRESIDENT : Leave the number open for the moment. That might be a matter for private discussion. Mr. FISHER : Then about the expenses. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : We need not pass a Resolution about that. The PRESIDENT: No. Sir WILFRID LAURIER: We are all agreed we should contribute. The PRESIDENT: We take a note of your suggestion, and are very grateful for it. Mr. HARCOURT : It will be on the notes. Mr. FISHER : Under the circumstances we shall not proceed with the other two Resolutions. All-Red Route between England, Australia, and New Zealand, via Canada. " That, in the interests of the Empire, it is desirable that Great Britain should be connected with Canada, and through Canada with Australia and New Zealand, by the best mail service available. That, for the purpose of carrying the above desideratum into effect, a mail service be established on the Pacific between Vancouver, Fiji, Auckland, and Sydney by first-class steamers of not less than 10,000 tons and capable of performing the voyage at an average speed of 16 knots. That in addition to this a fast service be established between Canada and Great Britain, the necessary financial support required for both purposes to be contributed by Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in equitable proportions." Sir JOSEPH WARD : In order to save a double discussion, my friend Sir Edward Morris has suggested to me that his Resolution bearing upon the establishment of a line of steamers between Great Britain and the oversea Dominions might be taken together with mine. I have no objection to that.