RESOURCES OF THE DOMINIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1157, 19 June 1911, Page 5

RESOURCES OF THE DOMINIONS.

ROYAL COMMISSION TO BE APPOINTED. DATA FOR THE FUTURE. A particularly interesting discussion took place on the following Australian motion :— "That this Conference, recognising the importance of promoting fuller development of commercial intercourse within the Empire, strongly urges that every effort should be made to bring about co-operation in commercial relations and matters of mutual interest." Sir Wilfrid Lauricr, in supporting tli.o proposal, said it would be difficult (o secure improvement without more information, and lie, therefore, moved:— "That this Conference approach tho King to appoint a Royal Commission, representing Great Britain and tho overseas Dominions, to investigate the natural resources of the different portions of the Empire; the development attained and attainable; tho facilities for production and manufacture; the distribution of trade of each part with the others and the outside world; the food and raw material requirements of each, and the sources thereof which were available; and to what extent tho trade between different parts of tho Empire was affected by existing legislation, beneficially or otherwise." Mr. Harcourt said the resolution was another step in the policy which was tho governing note of the Conference, namely, not Imperial concentration, but Imperial co-operation. In one respect tho resolution might bo misunderstood, and ho proposed to add to the motion tho following words: —"By what methods, consistent with the existing fiscal policy of each part, trade can be improved and extended." This would show that the commission did not intend to make recommendations in favour of ono policy for tho Dominions or the Motherland, but for the whole Empire. This would be a better position for future co-operation. Mr. Fisher said the resolution offered a practical way of dealing with difficult questions. Tho commission must look freely into every matter likely to afford useful information, and not dogmatise as to the right methods on which different countries should conduct their own affairs. It was essential that tho commission should include men of the highest standing. Senator l'earce said the proposal mefe the position, and would practically cnablo them to deal with trade matters at present in the air. Mr. Harcourt's addendum was essential if workable decisions were desired. Mr. Asquith stated that the Conference was indebted to. Sir Wilfrid Laurier for a practical proposition which would prepare tho way, and possibly make the way plain for effective action by the next Conference or sooner. Tho commission should be an advisory body, with a referenco as wido as the world; and it could work without making suggestions as to tho different States' policies, but leave every Dominion to pursue the fiscal policy best suited to its requirements. The commission would visit every part of tho Empire. The Government would secure tho best men possible to sit on it.

Mr. Fisher said the Commonwealth were ready to sharo the cxpenso of tho commission. The burden ought not' to rest entirely on the Motherland. Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Wilfrid Laurier concurred on behalf of their Governments. Mr.' Asquith said ho was grateful for tho suggestion, and an amendment was accordingly added. The motion, as amended, was then agreed to by tho Conference. "ALL.R'ED" mail route. NEW ZEALAND SCHEME DEBATED. CONSIDERED TOO COSTLY. Sir Joseph Ward moved his motions in favour of the "All-Rod" mail route, as under :— "That, in the interests of tho 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 i the above desideratum into effect, a mail service bo established on the Pacific between Vancouver, Fiji, Auckland, and Sydney, by first-class steamers of not less than 10,000 tons, and capablo of performing the voyage at an average speed of 1G knots. That in addition to this a fast service be established between Canada and Great Britain, the necessary financial support required for both purposes f o be contributed by Great Britain, Cana:la, Australia, and New Zealand, in equitable proportions." In speaking to the motion, Sir Joseph Ward said he had tho assurance <'f shipping men that they could give a '.ivenryknot service across the Pacific, as the difficulties existing for years back with regard to coaling had now disappeared. Although the opening of the Panama Canal might considerably affect the system, he desired that an "All-Red" mail service should bo instituted, as he looked to Canada as a half-way house between New Zealand and Great. Britain. Sir Edward Morris, Prime Minister of Newfoundland, also presented tho following motions:— "That tho needs of the North American portion of the British Empire can best bo served by connecting Great Britain and Canada, via Newfoundland, by the best service availaide within reasonable cost." "That, for the purposo of establishing a lino of steamers to this eud, , the Governments of Great Britain,

Canada, and Newfoundland should contribute an annual subsidy based on, in proportion to, and having regard to, the population, wealth, trade, and interests of their respective countries." Sir Wilfrid Laurier said he favoured Sir Joseph Ward's motion. Mr. Fisher took the view that while much could bo said for the proposal sentimentally tho practical side must stand on its merits. He could not draw a distinction between a service to Australia, via New Zealand and Canada, and the Suez route. The Suez route- might have its difficulties, but it had much to commend it from the Australian standpoint. Tho retranshipment of goods across Canada made the proposal impracticable. He regretted that the Commonwealth could not support tho proposal. Mr. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that sentimentally the "All-Rod" route was desirable, yet the practical difficulties were great. Since the last Conference the question had been investigated by a committee which had found that tho cost of the twenty-one knots service was prohibitive, and that an eighteen-knot service would be enormously costly. The route would be dependent on passenger traffic as they could not hope to carry goods across tho American Continent. There would be a considerable loss on the Pacific side, though tho Atlantic part of tho service might pay after years. Ho thought tho question might bo referred to Sir Wilfrid Lnurier's lioyal Commission. Sir Joseph Ward said a scheme merely for carrying goods would bo useless and impracticable. He agreed to amend the resolution as follows— "That this Conference affirms that it *s desirable that Great Britain connect Canada and Newfoundland through Canada with Australia and Now Zealand by tho best mail service available." The amended motion was,adopted. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

LMPEBIAL SCHEME PROPOSED. It is understood tho Conference considered the question of a chain of State-own-ed wireless stations, a matter in connection with which tho following motion stood in New Zealand's name: That tho great importanco of wireless telegraphy for defence and other purposes renders it desirable that tho scheme of wireless telcgranhy approved at the Conference held "at Melbourne in December, 1909, bo extended, so far as practicable, throughout the Empire, with the ultimate object of establishing a chain of Stateowned wireless stations, which, in emergency, would enable the Empire to be, to a great extent, independent of submarine cables. Mr. Herbert Samuel, PostmasterGeneral, explained that Britain wa, bound to tho Marconi system. An Imperial system was impossible while parts of tho Empire were tied to different systems. It was desirable, however, that such a chain should be established throughout the Empire, both for strategic and commercial reasons. The Homo Government considered that such stations should be Statc-owned and bo speedily established, and it proposed that, at the beginning, there should Ik six stations— one each in England, Cyprus, and at Aden and Bombay, Singapore, and in Australia. Tho latter could be linked with Jvew Zealand. It might be desirable that one of the wireless companies should erect the stations; failing satisfactory terms the Admiralty might undertake the work each of the Dominions bearing the cost of tho local stations. The Singapore station would bo exclusively a connecting link, the cost of which would be borne by all Mr. D. P. do V. Grnaf (South African Minister for Telegraphs) supported tho motion. He said that when the Aden station was erected South Africa would consider tho erection of a high-power station as a link.

Mr. Samuel suggested tho pooling of working expenses and receipts. Sir Joseph Ward said that nfter Mr Samuel's statement ho would amend his motion in the direction of affirming the desirableness of establishing State-owned wireless telegraph stations.'

Mr. Harcourt, in replying to Senator Pearco (Australia), said the Pacific Islands would not be overlooked in the ultimate development of the schemes. Sir Joseph Ward said he thought it would bo more satisfactory if Australia and New Zealand carried out tho part of tho scheme covering their local requirements, and shared the cost of tho Singapore station. ° Mr. Fisher declared that tho Commonwealth intended to proceed with its own scheme, and reserved the right to erect stations where it pleased. He supported Mr. Samuel, but wished to make it clear that ho was not committed on tho finnncial side. Tho amended resolution was then adopted. PENNY POSTAGE. MODIFIED PROPOSAL ADOPTED. Sir Josepli Ward moved: That, in view of the social and political advantages and the material commercial advantages to accrue from a system of international penny postage, this Conference- recommends to his Majesty's Government the advisability of approaching the Governments of other States known to be favourable to the scheme, with a view to united action being taken at the next meeting of tho Congress of tho Universal Postal Union.

Sir Joseph Ward made a strong plea in favour of the adoption of his motion. Mr. Herbert Samuel, British Postmas-ter-General, objected that the adoption of the motion would involve Great Britain in a loss of four hundred thousand pounds annually. Ho showed that tlio cost of handling oacli letter and reply to different parts of the Empire was a penny and one-sixth. It would take fourteen years to recoup the loss incurred in extending penny post to the United States. Sir Joseph Ward then substituted for bis motion the resolution adopted by the Conference of 1907: "That in view of the social and political advantages and the material commercial advantages to accrue, from a system of international penny postape, this Conferonco recommends to his Majesty's Government the advisability, if and when a suitable opportunity occurs, of approaching tho Governments of other States, members of the Universal Postal Union, in order to obtain further reductions of postage rates, with a view to a mora

general, and, if possible, a universal, adoption of the penny rate." This resolution was reaffirmed by tho Conference.