127

A.—6a

Canada.— The Canadian Government stated that for Canadian purposes use could be made advantageously of the services of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in India and Ceylon, and also in the Straits Settlements when a Trade Commissioner for that territory should be appointed. In the other countries included in the Trade Commissioner scheme the Dominion of Canada already had its own Trade Commissioners, and, beyonel establishing mutual good will and co-operation between them and His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in these centres, they considereel that it would not be necessary to make demands upon, the time of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners. In the countries named above in which Canada had no trade representative, and until such time as such representatives should be established, the Dominion Government accepted the offer of His Majesty's Government. In September, 1921, the Canadian Government appointed Trade Commissioners for India and the Straits Settlements, and have consequently now ceased to utilize the services of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners. Australia. —The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia are also taking steps to establish a Trade Commissioner Service, and consequently have not found it necessary definitely to avail themselves of the offer of the services of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners. New Zealand. —The Government of New Zealand have availed themselves of the services of the Trade Commissioners in Canada and in South Africa. South Africa. —The Government of the Union of South Africa expressed their appreciation of the offer, anel requested that Trade Commissioners shoulel be asked to render any assistance possible when addressed direct by them. Newfoundland. —The Newfoundland Government utilize the services of the Trade Commissioner at Montreal. India. —The Government of India availeel themselves of the services of the Trade Commissioners in all parts of the Empire, and still elo so. The duties of Trade Commissioners in the matter of co-operation with the Governments who utilize their services have been laid down as follows :— (a.) To reply to commercial inquiries which may be adelressed to them by traders or by the Governments represented, anil to suggest suitable local agents for proelucers or manufacturers'in the part of the British Empire represented; (b.) To notify the Government represented of changes in the Customs tariff or other regulations affecting its trade ; (c.) 'Io report any openings for trade or contracts open to tender which might interest producers or manufacturers in the; part of the British Empire represented ; (d.) To circulate or distribute in the area in which they are stationed official literature relating to the trade, agriculture, and manufacture of the: part of the British Empire represented ; and (c.) Generally to watch over the trade interests of the part of the British Empire represented in the area in which they are: stationed. The Consular Service. As the: result of an arrangement made in 1912 with the Government of Canada and subsequently extended to the other Dominions, Dominion firms are at liberty to apply direct to any of His Majesty's Consuls for information as to the possibilities of sale of Dominion products, the method uneier which business is conducted, and the best means of getting into touch with markets. Under the terms of the agreement Dominion Trade Commissioners are also at liberty to apply to His Majesty's Consuls for advice and assistance. The agreement did. not, however, proviele for Governors-General, Dominion Government Departments, or High Commissioners communicating direct with Consular Officers. On one or two occasions when this point has been raised by a Dominion Government or a High Commissioner attention has been called to the inconvenience which would be caused by direct applications from Dominion Governments or their official representatives in the: United Kingdom addressed to Consular Officers for information on commercial anel similar questions. It has been pointed out that— (a.) The: desired information can in many cases be supplied by the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade (which branch is now merged in the Department of Overseas Trade:), or by the Diplomatic Missions abroad, thus avoiding unnecessary demands on the time of the Consular Officers ; anel (b.) The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should, as far as possible, be in a position to know the amount of work which is being placed on individual Consular Officers. It has, however, been made: clear that no objection is seen to direct communication between a Dominion Government and Consular Officers outside Europe taking place on exceptional occasions when time was of importance and where a distinct saving of time: would result from direct communication, though it has been requested that all communications with Consular Officers in Europe, should, as hitherto, be carried on through the Secretary of State: for the Colonies. In cases where it is merely a question of obtaining commercial information there is, of course, no objection to a High Commissioner bringing the matter directly to the attention of tho Department of Overseas Trade. Commercial Diplomatic Service. The question of. the Governments of the Dominions and India making use of tho services of Commercial Diplomatic Officers by means of direct correspondence was not raiseel, as in the case of the. Trade Commissioner Service, eluring the Conference of 1917, very largely because; it was considered premature to do so whilst the Service was undergoing a process of complete reorganization, and whilst it was not yet possible to gauge with any accuracy the amount of work which would be thrown upon the newly appointed officers. The reorganization of the Service has, however, now been completed,