A.—4

437

20 June, 1911.] Concluding Speeches. [12th Day. Sir JOSEPH WARD— cont. May I also say, in supporting this motion, that it is deserving of recognition what a vast amount of good this Conference has done. When one remembers the questions that we have dealt with, it will be seen how important the work has been, and how valuable it is and will be to all parts of the Empire. I do not propose to go at length into the various matters we have dealt with ; but it has just passed through my mind, whilst Sir Wilfrid Laurier was speaking, that on the all important question of defence the information which has been furnished to us has probably never been of greater value to the oversea representatives than upon this occasion. It will be most valuable to our countries. To ourselves the difficulties of the Home Government in connection with Empire Defence are more clearly understood. Then the discussion of the machinery of government on purely Imperial matters has been very interesting. The views of the members of the Conference on record here—differing as they do on many points—are to my mind very valuable in regard to the work we have done in reference to this important question, and even though it be of a negative character so far as a decision is concerned the discussion was a most valuable one. The matter of consultation with the Dominions regarding Treaties is a very important one and marks a great step forward. The Declaration of London has been considered with the Home Government as affecting the oversea Dominions very fully and very carefully by the representatives present, and the decision arrived at was come to without bias, as also without any pressure. The great work achieved in connection with the Imperial Court of Appeal is, I think, an important one, and I hail with supreme satisfaction the action of the British Government in relation to it. Then we have had a discussion upon naturalisation which, to my mind, is extremely valuable to all portions of the British Empire, and to many people who will be affected as the outcome of the efforts to obtain uniformity in that respect. The Imperial operation of Judgments and Awards of our courts which has been decided upon by this Conference is also of very great value. The matter of Shipping and Navigation laws, which we have also discussed, is of infinite importance to the respective countries who are so much concerned regarding it, and who require to see that the products of their countries are carried under proper conditions, and the valuable expressions of opinion coming from the members of the Conference on this point add, in my view, to the weight of the work which this Conference has done. The effort to have uniformity of laws is a wise one, even though it may not produce practical results for some time to come. The important resolution which Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved for the setting up of a Royal Commission would, if nothing else had been done at this Conference, in my opinion show that the calling together of the representatives of the oversea Dominions in conference with His Majesty's Ministers here enables us to take a broad and a practical view of the need for investigating the difficult and complex questions affecting the trade of the different portions of the British Empire. May I also acknowledge the useful work the respective other Ministers have done at this Conference. Sir Edward Grey, in the very important and lucid statement he made, has given us valuable information which we shall all remember with the greatest pleasure in our respective callings and the busy lives we lead in our own countries. It will be of infinite value to us. So also with regard to the statements made to us by Mr. Buxton, Lord Haldane, the Lord Chancellor, the PostmasterGeneral, Mr. Burns, and Mr. Lloyd George. The presence of these representatives of the Home Government at this table has given us from time to time an insight into some of the difficulties which we cannot see, so far away from the Old Country, and that insight into those matters will be of great use to us, and probably I am right in saying that our views, if aot fully concurred in, will yet be of some use to the Ministers controlling the affairs of the Old Country. Finally I want just to say that I indorse very humbly the expressions which fell from Sir Wilfrid Laurier regarding the great kindness that His Majesty the King has shown to us since we have been here. I desire to acknowledge the much appreciated consideration and kindness which the members of His Majesty's