281

A.—6a

It was further decided that in the: constitution of the proposed Imperial Economic Committee representation should be allotted to the various constituent Governments as follows :- --■• Great Britain .. .. .. .. .. 4 members. Dominions .. .. .. .. .. 2 members each. India . . . . .. .. .. ~ 2 members. Colonies and protectorates .. ~ ~ '~ 2 members.

CONCLUDING REMARKS. Appreciation of Assistance rendered by Officials. Mr. Massey: Before the Conference comes to an end, Mr. President, I would just like: to say that I think the representatives of the different Governments should express their appreciation of the courtesy and consideration which have been extended to the individual members of the Conference by the: members of the different Departments who have assisteei in connection with the discussions that have been going on. I feel very strongly that the least we can do in connection with what has taken place is that we; should say thank you for all the assistance that has been given, and I know that every member of the: Conference very much appreciates what has been done by the different officials who have attended hen: during the many sittings of the Conference. Thanks to Chairman and Secretariat. Mr. Bruce: I should like very much to associate myself with what Mr. Massey, as the oldest and senior member of the Conference, has said, and particularly I should like,to say to you, Sir Philip, how very appreciative we all are of tho tact you have shown in handling this Conference throughout its sittings, and of the, very great ability which you have displayed. I think we have all greatly appreciated the courtesy that you and all your colleagues who have attended here, have shown to us, and I am quite certain that any good results that may come from the Conference will be due to the spirit in which the: British Government have approaches! this Conference and have invitee! us to express our views with the utmost frankness. I shoulel also like, if 1 may, to express our appreciation to the Secretariat tor the work they have done and for the invaluable assistance: the-y have given, particularly to the Dominion Prime Ministers and to India I am sure, and I think p:obably that the British Government have also derived a very great deal of assistance from their services. I certainly think that we should put on recorel our appreciation of all they have done to assist the deliberations of the Conference. ■ Mr. Massey: I think we all endorse that. Mr. Graham: Mr. President, I endorse, eve:ry word that has been said by Mr. Massey and Mr. Bruce. 1 think a great deal of the success of any gathering depends upon the man who presides over the gathering, and I am not sure that on this occasion he had such an easy task in connection with some of the other members. Ido not know what others would have done in very trying times. We certainly owe a great deal to you, sir, for the manner in. which you have presided over this Conference, which has had before it questions which, to my mind, were: as difficult and as delicate to handle as coulel come before any body of men with different view-points, all aiming at tho one goal but, from a different angle:. The Secretary, Mr. Eddison, has been a tower of strength to the whole organization. Would you allow me to go a little further along this line, and to say that I think we who come from overseas owe a great debt of gratitude to the people: who form the Government Hospitality Fund ? We have been looked after in a very enthusiastic and cordial manner, not only in the way of entertainment, but in the carrying-out of little minor duties for us that it would have been very difficult for us to have carried out ourselves. T want to join in expressing my thanks, as far as Canada is concerned, for all these things, and hope that great good may result from this gathering. Of course, after all, the foundation of success lies in the fact that we have been able to meet each other and talk frankly across a table in language in which we could not have indulged had. we been carrying out diplomatic correspondence. Mr. Innes: I should like, very briefly, to associate myself with what has been said by the Prime, Ministers of New Zealand and Australia, and also by Mr. Graham. I am afraid that the representative of India was possibly erne: of those " other " persons to which Mr. Graham referred ! It is true that in the case, of one or two matters which I considereel of vital importance I had to take a line of my own. lam sure everybody in this Conference will agree: that it is much better to be honest. It is better that I should have stated frankly the difficulties that I felt than that I shoulel have agreed to resolutions which I knew perfectly well I could not carry out. I do hope the Conference will realize that I took the course which I knew in the long-run would be of the best interest not only to India but also to this country itself. In all my difficulties I have meet with the: greatest consideration not only from you, sir, but from members of the cabinet and also from the oversea Prime Ministers, and I am very grateful for that consideration. Sir William Macintosh: South Africa joins very heartily in the expression of thanks and appreciation. Sir Patrick, McGrath : May I say, sir, that our Prime Minister expected to be here this morning, but was doubtful whether he could be present owing to some engagements he had \ But pn his behalf and my own I woulel like to join very cordially in and endorse all that has been said by the representatives of the Dominions.