§ Mr. JOHN RUTHERFORDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he would consider the advisability of discuss- 355 ing at the Imperial Conference the question of developing the supply of cotton in those colonies and dominions where climatic conditions would justify the hope that the crop could be effectively raised?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)In view of the number and importance of the subjects already proposed for discussion, I fear that no useful purpose would be served by a proposal to discuss the question referred to. The matter is one which mainly affects the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, and they are not parties to the Conference, but I am in frequent communication with all parts of the Empire where cotton-growing is possible, and miss no opportunity of pressing its greater production.