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2nd Day.] Imperial Council. [25 May, 1911. Sir JOSEPH WARD— cont. Navy so powerful that the world would stand at peace probably for generations to come. Surely it is a matter worthy of the greatest consideration on the part of a Conference such as this to bring about, if it is possible to do so, such a consummation ? Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Will you permit me an interruption here 1 Sir JOSEPH WARD : Certainly. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Would this be in conjunction with your Imperial Council? Sir JOSEPH WARD : Yes. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : Are the two things not quite apart, and could you not give contributions to-day without having an Imperial Council 1 Ido not see the relevancy of it to the idea you are expounding. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I suggest that the Imperial Council is the only way of providing that the voices of the different countries may be heard through their constitutionally elected representatives. The Imperial Council is the only way, I will not say to go back upon the policy of any of the Dominions, but it is the only way in which, in my opinion, a uniform system of co-ordination and cooperation can be achieved. That is my view. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : But that is quite independent of the policy of contributions. Sir JOSEPH WARD : I hope to show presently exactly what my proposal is. Mr. BATCHELOR : You would have legislative power ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : It would require legislative power to enable it to carry out its functions. The PRESIDENT: That is very important, Is it proposed that'this Council should have legislative powers ? Sir JOSEPH WARD : I intend to explain presently what I think it should have. The PRESIDENT : Mr. Batchelor asked the question, and I understood you to say yes. Sir JOSEPH WARD : Yes, I propose that it should be created by legislation. The PRESIDENT : Created by legislation, yes; but to have legislative power is a different thing. Sir JOSEPH WARD : And that its powers should be denned by legislation. Mr. FISHER : I understand you to say that it would have legislative powers as a constitutional body.