A.—7.

XVIII. MEW HEBRIDES. The position in the New Hebrides was examined by representatives of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in consultation with representatives of His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand. XIX. POLAR QUESTIONS. Representatives of His Majesty's Governments interested in Polar questions met under the chairmanship of the Hon. R. G. Casey, M.P., Treasurer, Commonwealth of Australia, to consider what forms of co-operation could best be pursued in connection with any scientific or economic activities which might be undertaken in the Antarctic. In particular, their attention was directed to the possibilities of co-operation in the following fields: — (a) The establishment of meteorological stations in the Antarctic Continent: (b) The activities of the R.R.S. " Discovery II " during any voyage which she might be directed by the Discovery Committee of the Colonial Office to make in the waters north of the territories administered by His Majesty's Governments in the Commonwealth of Australia or New Zealand, and generally. As regards (a), it was recommended that the attention of His Majesty's Governments in the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa should be drawn to certain recommendations made by the Director of the Meteorological Office of the United Kingdom on this subject, and in particular to the suggestion that, in the interests of the accurate forecasting of weather conditions in all parts of the world, there is need for the establishment of one or two permanent meteorological stations in the Antarctic for the accurate recording of daily climatic conditions. As regards (&), it was hoped that it would be found possible to carry out the twenty months' cruise of the R.R.S. '' Discovery II " planned for the present year, and that at an appropriate later date His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would consider, in conjunction with representatives of His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions interested, the programme and policy as to future Antarctic investigation. It was recommended that— (1) In the meantime the Dominions concerned should be kept in as close touch as possible with the work of the Discovery Committee and should for that purpose be invited to appoint representatives from their permanent staffs in London to attend meetings of the Committee. (2) His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom should explore the possibility of inviting His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions interested to select a few scientific or other workers to accompany the " Discovery II " during her next cruise. The Conference approved these recommendations. XX. CONCLUDING RESOLUTIONS. At the concluding meeting, the Conference adopted the following resolution:— " The Imperial Conference desires to express its appreciation of the work which has been accomplished by the Chairman and Members of the Conference committees and sub-committees which have been engaged in the discussion of particular subjects remitted to them. " The Conference feels that the detailed study of these subjects in committee has been most valuable both in helping forward the work of the Conference and in affording opportunities for close personal contact between those engaged in similar work in various parts of the British Commonwealth."

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