§ Mr. HUNTasked whether, in accordance with Resolutions I. and VI. of the Imperial Conference, 1907, the secretariat had caused to be circulated to the Governments represented in the Conference information respecting the effect on British trade of the preferences granted by the Governments of Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, or any of them, and particularly the testimony of the British Trade Commissioners in regard to the effect of such preferences; and, if not, why this has not been done?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Resolutions referred to contain no specific instruction on the matter, and no special memoranda have been communicated to the Dominion Governments since the Conference of 1907. The report of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Canada is the only published report which deals with the matter, and that has been circulated to the Dominion Governments in the usual manner.
§ Mr. HUNTasked whether, seeing that the majority of the Imperial Conference 582 by Resolution VI. of 1907, reaffirming a resolution of 1902, declared that the principle of preferential trade between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Dominions beyond the seas would stimulate and facilitate mutual commercial intercourse, a similar proposal was to be made at the approaching Conference; and whether due consideration would be given to these resolutions?
§ Mr. HUNTasked whether the secretariat of the Imperial Conference, as defined by Resolution I of 1907, was intended to furnish a system by which the several governments represented should be kept informed during the periods between the conferences in regard to matters which had been or might be subjects for discussion; and, if so, how far this intention had been carried out?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir; the intention is common knowledge, and its fulfilment, so far as it was not confidential, will be found in Cd. 5273.