EMPIRE RESOURCES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 135, 24 May 1912, Page 2

EMPIRE RESOURCES.

IMPERIAL COMMISSION.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The terms of' /reference to the Royal Commission on the Trade Resources of the Empire were announced by Mr. Lewis Harcourt.’ Colonial Secretary, in the House of Commons last month. They arc us follows:— .../•

To enquire into and report upon the natural resource© of the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of. Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Colony of Newfoundland ; and, further, to report upon the development of such, resources, whether attained or a!tamable.

Upon the facilities which exist or may he created for the production, manufacture, and distribution of all articles of commerce in those pains of the Empire. Upon the requirements of each such part, and of the United Kingdom in the ma l ter cf food and raw materials, and the available sources of such ;

Upon the trade of each such part of the Empire with the ether parts, wilh the United Kingdom, and v.ith the rest of the world :

Upon the extent, if anv. to which mutual trade cf the sricrnl parts of the Empire has been or is being affected, beneficially or otherwise, by th? laws now in fcrcc. other than fiscal laws ; and generally to suggest any methods, consistent always with the existing fiscal policy of each port of the Empire, by wb.icli the trade cf each part with the others and with the United Kingdom might be improved or extended.

The members of the Commission will meet in London, and commence their werk at an early date. The details of their labours and the order in which the different parts of the Empire will be visited will be arranged when the Commissioners meet, but it is anticipated that Australia" and New Zealand will be the first Dominions visited. The tour of the self-governing portions of the Empire will occupy about, three years, and on its conclusion the report of the. Commission trill be prepared, probably in London. It has been settled that the expenses of the Commission will be defrayed by the Imperial Government and by the Government represented. With regard to the suggestions from India, that that country should be represented on t-Jic Commission. »t has been pointed out that while Indm was represented at a previous Imperial ,-Conference, she was not represented at the ( onferencc of last summer. Neither India nor the Crown Colonies" had delegates _ at the Conference, which was appointed on the proposal of the Premiers of rhe self-governing Dominions, and a:sented to by the Secretary of Stme. there being no question of including India. The ’■ tew is expressed, however, in some quarters flmf India .-nd the Crown (Monies might usefully be mehided >n tl’.i' work of the Commission.