A.—7

2

SUBJECTS SUGGESTED FOE DISCUSSION, AND NOTICES OE MOTION. Subjects for Discussion. Suggested by 1. Political relations of Mother-country with the colonies... ... Secretary of State for the Colonies. (a.) Motion : " That it would be to the advantage of the Empire Government of New Zeaif triennial Conferences were held at which questions land. affecting the political and commercial relations of the Mother-country and His Majesty's dominions over the seas could be discussed and considered as between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Premiers of the self-governing colonies. In case of any emergency arising upon which a special Conference may have been deemed necessary, the next ordinary Conference to be held not sooner than three years thereafter." (6.) Communication prior to entering on treaties affecting Government of Commoncolonial interests. wealth, (c.) Imperial Court of Appeal ... ... ... ... Government of Commonwealth. 2. Imperial defence ... ... ... .. ... ... Secretary of State for the Colonies. (a.) Motion: " That it is desirable to have an Imperial Eeserve Government of New ZeaForce formed in each of His Majesty's dominions over land. the seas for service in case of emergency outside the dominion or colony in which such reserve is formed. The limits within which such reserve force may be employed outside the colony wherein it is raised to be defined by the Imperial and Colonial Governments at the time such reserve is formed, and to be in accordance with any law in force for the time being respecting the same. The cost of maintaining and equipping such Imperial Eeserve Force to be defrayed in such proportion and manner as may be agreed upon between the Imperial and Colonial Governments." (b.) " That the Australian Squadron be strengthened—(a) by in- Government of New Zeacreasing the number of cruisers ; (b) by withdrawing land. some of the inferior gunboats, and replacing them with modern and better class cruisers; and (c) by adding torpedo catchers or destroyers, if deemed necessary. The extra cost of maintenance entailed to be defrayed in the same proportion as provided under the existing agreements, and on population basis." (c.) Army and navy supply contracts ... ... ... Government of Commonwealth. (d.) Commissions in the army and navy ... ... ... Government of New Zealand. (c.) Uniformity in patterns of weapons ... ... ... Secretary of State for War. 3. Commercial relations of the Empire ... ... ... Secretary of State for the Colonies. (a.) Motion: "That it is essential to the well-being of the Government of New Zea-Mother-country and His Majesty's dominions beyond land. the seas that in such dominions where the same do not now exist preferential tariffs by way of rebate of duties on British-manufactured goods carried in British-owned ships should be granted, and that in the Mother-country rebate of duty on colonial products now taxable should be conceded." (&.) Loss of most-favoured-nation treatment if preference given Government of Commonto Great Britain. wealth. (c.) Mutual protection of patents ... ... ... ... Government of Commonwealth. (d.) Merchant shipping—uniform laws throughout the Empire Government of the Cape, (c.) Imperial stamp charges on colonial bonds ... ... Government of Commonwealth. (/.) (1.) Ocean cables, and purchase thereof ... ... Government of Commonwealth. (2.) Government control of wireless telegraphy .... ... Admiralty and War Office. (g.) Motion : " That it would be an advantage to the Empire to Government of New Zeahave subsidised mail-services established as between land. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Great Britain. The steamers carrying such mails to be British-owned, and such steamers to be of such a class and so fitted that in time of war they may be armed and fitted as cruisers."