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No. 21. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 3.3 p.m., 12th May, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 30.] 12th May. Your telegram of 30th April,* Defence Conference, Minute from Ministers expressing appreciation of your courtesy, and saying that His Majesty's Government readily understands that Cape Colony cannot take any part involving responsibility which it would fall on others to discharge. Ministers are, however, entirely in agreement with you in thinking that presence of delegates from South Africa would add to completeness of Conference, and help future Union Government in formulating some general scheme of South African defence. Delegates from Cape Colony deputed to visit London in connection with South Africa Act will be authorised to attend Defence Conference. Delegates should reach London in the middle of July, and will probably consist of Prime Minister and one or two other delegates. Minute leaves by next mail. Repeated to High Commissioner for South Africa.—Hely-Hutchinson.

No. 22. CANADA. The GOVERNOR-GENERAL to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 7.5 p.m., 12th May, 1909.) Telegram. Confidential. With reference to your telegram of 10th May,t my Prime Minister says that the end of July will be equally convenient for Mr. Brodeur and Sir F. Borden. —Grey.

No. 23. ORANGE RIVER COLONY. The GOVERNOR to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 11.40 a.m., 13 May, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 30.] 13th May. Prime Minister desires me to acknowledge receipt of courteous invitation Prime Minister of United Kingdom contemplated in your telegram of 30th AprilJ sent through Governor Cape Colony. Prime Minister hopes that delegates from this Colony .who go to London end of June in connection with South African Union may be able to make arrangements to attend Defence Conference. Despatch § follows by mail with full minute of Prime Minister. — Goold-Adams.

No. 24. AUSTRALIA. The GOVERNOR-GENERAL to the SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 8.15 a.m., 14 May, 1909.) Telegram. Date of Conference end of July acceptable to Commonwealth Government. Names representatives few days. —Dudley.

*No. 11. f No. 19. t No. 12. § See No. 33.

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