A.—6

80

arising out of this right or freedom it is important not to confuse the issue by any ambiguous use of such words as ' citizen 'or ' citizenship.' If those words are used, as they rightly may be, as having a local significance and connoting a status or right which it is within the power of any self-governing Dominion to confer on persons within its territory, they should not at the same time be used as though they were almost synonymous with the Imperial conception of nationality. " Imperial nationality is one and indivisible: ; local citizenship and the rights and privileges attached thereto may be diverse. If we keep these two conceptions clearly in our minds it ought to be possible, notwithstanding difficulties of detail and practice, to maintain a principle of action consistent alike with. Imperial unity and local autonomy." STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN. Mr. Stanley Baldwin : After what has been said on behalf of the Dominions and by the Duke of Devonshire on behalf of the British Government, I have little to add. Result of Indian Proposal as regards Colonies and Protectorates. I should like first of all to read to the Conference a statement which has been drawn up, as the result of informal discussions, since our last meeting. It sets out, for inclusion in the records of the Conference, the result of Sir Tej Sapru's proposal, so far as it relates to the colonies and protectorates. The statement is as follows : — " The Secretary of State for the Colonies, on behalf of His Majesty's- Government, cordially accepted the proposal of Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru that there should be full consultation and discussion between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and a committee appointed by the Government of India upon all questions affecting British Inelians domiciled in British colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories. At the same: time the Duke was careful to explain that, before decisions were taken-as a result of discussion with the committee, consultations with the local colonial Governments concerned, and in some cases local inquiry, would be necessary. " Further, while welcoming the proposal, the Duke of Devonshire reminded the Conference that His Majesty's Government had recently come to certain decisions as to Kenya, which represented in their considered view the very best .that could be done in all the circumstances. While he saw no prospect of these decisions being modified, he, would give careful attention to such representations as the committee appointed by the. Government of Inelia might desire to make to him. " Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, while taking note of the above statement of the Duke, desired to make plain that the recent Kenya decisiems could not be accepted as final by the people of India." Publication of Speeches. I am glad to think that, on this occasion, we have been able to arrange for the speeches made at this table to be published. This constitutes a departure from the procedure at the 1921 Conference, when only the resolution which has been quoted here more than once was made public. We shall, of course, include a brief summary of the proceedings when a report on the work of the Conference comes to be prepared. Helpful Nature of Discussion. I hope that the Indian delegation will feel, as I feel, that the discussions we have had on this subject have been most helpful and encouraging. There has not merely been good will and an earnest attempt to meet India's wishes so far as varying political and economic circumstances in different parts of the Empire permit, but we can record quite definite results. These are due to the growing sense of partnership among all the many peoples and races who owe common allegiance to the Crown. It is this sense of partnership which I should like to stress. India's value to the Empire and the Empire's value to India are, becoming every day more clearly seen. The British Commonwealth of Nations rests upon no narrow basis. It is the greatest association known o the world of many races bound together even more intimately by common interests and by mutual desire to help each other. Here: at these Conferences we can with full freedom learn each other's problems and each other's point of view, and India .can, I am sure, feci that the magnitude of her share in our common partnership, and of her contribution to the common weal, is being realized in increasing measure. I am confident that the members of the Conference who have spoken for India will feel, both from the manner in which their representations have been received and from the actual results achieved, that mutual good will can and does help each and all of us to solve our common problems. I think the Conference as a whole can congratulate itself on what has been effected. STATEMENT BY SIR TEJ BAHADUR SAPRU. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru : Before the- Conference leaves this very important subject, I desire to take up just two minute's of your time in making my own position quite clear. Effect of Discussion on Indian Opinion. I am completely satisfied with the kindness of my colleagues from the Dominions, and I am sure that Indians throughout the Empire will derive new hope and encouragement from their attitude. This, of course, does not, apply to South Africa, regarding which country I had my say on Monday last. As regards the Colonial Office, I am very glad to notice that the committee to be appointed as I suggested is not to be restricted in its scope to certain specified colonies. To me, as an Indian, i! is, of course, disappointing that the Duke, speaking last Monday, saw no prospect of modifying the- Kenya decisions, which, as I have already made clear, can never be accepted in India.. But his agreement with the principle of my scheme, and his consent to give careful attention to such re-presentations as the committee may lay before him, inspires me with the hope, that the door is