§ MR. RANKIN (Herefordshire, Leominster)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Government have taken into their consideration the question of holding another Colonial Conference, for the 1358 purpose of discussing matters of Imperial interest, and especially the question of Colonization; and, if not, whether they will do so at as early a date as convenient?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that to hold another Colonial Conference at an early date would put the Colonies to very great inconvenience, which could only be justified by the necessity of discussing urgent questions not capable of being otherwise dealt with. Colonization, though a subject of great importance, is one which can be conveniently dealt with by correspondence; and, therefore, Her Majesty's Government do not consider that a Conference should be summoned for the purpose of discussing this question.