A.—6

being made to elaborate further details of the scheme. Those who were favourable to the scheme suggested, however, that ii should receive the early and careful consideration of the various Governments of the British Common wealth, and that, if possible, advantage should be taken of the not meeting of representatives of the Governments of the Commonwealth to consider the scheme in greater detail with a view to the introduction of the appropriate legislation. The Conference took note of the committee's report, and referred it to the several Governments for consideration. (j) Reciprocity in Old-age Pensions. This matter was discussed at the Imperial Conference of 192 G. since when certain developments have taken place. In the United Kingdom the Widows', Orphans', and Old-age Contributory Pensions Aci of \us> has been amended bv the enactment of 1929. In the Union of South Africa a scheme of non-contributory old-age pensions has been introduced on substantially the same general lines as the systems of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In Canada the Federal Government has passed an Old-age Pensions Act, but does not at present appear to be in a position to negotiate schemes of reciprocity with other parts of the Empire. No changes have occurred in the pensions systems of Australia or New Zealand, at the instance of which latter Dominion the question of reciprocity was placed on the agenda of the Conference. The matter was referred for examination to the General Economic Commit lee. who reported that, in view of the manifold divergencies of the various noncontributory pensions systems, no standard reciprocal scheme for general application could be devised. It was recognized that, in addition to the question of the conditions governing the award of a pension to a migrant coming within the scope of a reciprocal arrangement, there was the further and distinct question as to the basis upon which the cost of a pension becoming payable under such an arrangement was to lie apportioned between the two countries concerned. The various pensions systems differ so extensively, however, that it was impossible, within the limited time available for discussion, to formulate a common basis of apportionment. The committee (with the exception of the representative of one Government) recommended that the Governments of the different parts of the Commonwealth should at the first convenient opportunity introduce such legislation as might be necessary to enable them to make reciprocal arrangements relating to old-age pensions, and, when the necessary powers had been obtained, to enter into negotiations with any other Government within the Commonwealth possessing similar powers, with a view to the formulation of a scheme of reciprocal arrangements. The Conference took note of the report and referred it to the several Governments for consideration. (/,•) Use of Cinematograph Films for the Education of Producers, etc. On the recommendation of the General Economic Committee, the Conference adopted the following resolutions : — "■ I. The Conference, impressed with the increasing importance of the question of Empire films, recommends to the various (iovernments of the British Commonwealth the further consideration of the report on the subject laid before the Imperial Conference of 1926, and reaffirms the resolution then adopted. ' 11. The Conference, recognizing the value of films for propaganda purposes, whether direct or indirect, in connection with inter-Imperial trade, as well as for other purposes, and realizing that the present period is one of rapid development and therefore of great opportunity, recommends that attention should be devoted to establishing and maintaining contact between the different parts of the Empire in relation to film-production, with a view to the sharing of experience and the promotion of the production of such films as will best serve the interests of the several parts of the Commonwealth.

45