11

A.—s

moting commercial intercourse. Letting alone the attractions of the route from a pleasure point of view, an inspection of Canada's material conditions would be of much advantage to the business traveller. There is much to be seen that would awaken the minds of enterprising men to the possibilities of there finding opportunities for trade extension. Personal contact and observation are strong factors towards the successful prosecution of commercial interests. In the opinion of the writer this advantage would be very materially gained by the proposed steam-service. Hence, seeing that the main conditions under which it is at present offered are favourable, he has no hesitation in here indorsing the views of the Government on the point of subsidy. The Pacific cable is surrounded by considerations of a wider range. It enters into the domain of Imperial defence. We can already correspond with Canada by wire, and therefore its importance in a commercial sense is not of immediate concern. Eegarded, however, from the standpoint of its strategic advantage in case of war —and this view seems to be generally approved—it is surely worthy of general support by Great Britain and the Australasian Colonies. The route it would take, and the terms on which it could be constructed and worked, are, as yet, matters of uncertainty; but assuming that a united assistance on equitable and reasonable conditions would insure its completion, this colony could very properly take part in contributing to a work that is so generally regarded as an element of national safety. The trade relations of the British possessions is a question that presents many different problems for solution. Naturally the Conference could only touch upon the fringe of a subject pregnant with interests of so widely diversified a nature. It could only take in hand the clearing away of such initial obstructions as impede the approach towards a practical treatment of the matter. The revision of tariffs in the direction of reciprocity should be guided by considerations that can only be brought into view by means of a close study of the natural conditions that affect production. It was impossible to obtain a grasp of the matter at the Conference sufficient to enable any general scheme to be formulated. The cursory examination which there took place did, however, reveal several transparent Customs anomalies that might well be corrected. Further, there appeared to be one or two instances where free entry might with mutual advantage be granted on each side, and, pending the time when a more comprehensive examination of the whole circumstances can be made, some partial concessions of a tentative character might very well be exchanged. Indications in this direction will be pointed out in the report on the commercial situation in Canada. Hitherto no reference has been made to the position which Lord Jersey, as the representative of the Imperial Government, occupied at the Conference. It seems necessary to state that his Lordship, by the terms of his commission, was not authorised to express views on their behalf, but was to report on what passed, and give information on matters of fact. Notwithstanding, however, the loss of interest and influence to the debates which the above limitation inflicted, much advantage was derived from the guidance which Lord Jersey, as an experienced and successful colonial ex-Governor, was able to afford. CONCLUDING EEMAEKS. To summarise the work of the Conference and present its general features in a light that will enable a judgment to be formed of the nature and value of the results which have been presently obtained, or that may hereafter follow therefrom, requires that some outline shall be given of the boundary to which its powers extended. The proceedings of an assembly such as the Conference was are very much of the nature of those of a parliamentary Committee. The duties and functions of the delegates who were sent to Ottawa were almost entirely of a deliberative character. Excepting one or two instances in which authority had been given in regard to particular questions, the delegates had no power to commit their colonies, or to invest resolutions with any other than advisory intention. They were called together for the purpose of discussing a movement whose principal features had been partially and indeterminately outlined ; they were to give it a definite shape, and present their work for the consideration aud approval, or otherwise, of the colonies interested. Thus far did their duties extend, and whether they performed them in such a manner as to be ultimately beneficial will very much depend upon the manner in which the Conference recommendations are put into actual operation. This seems to be a sufficient reason for withholding (for the present) any final judgment on the material worth of the Ottawa Conference. Nevertheless, a high degree of responsibility is imposed on those who undertake to make recommendations that might, as in this case, lead to results of momentous consequence. The conclusions of a committee specially delegated to consider new and far-reaching propositions, possibly involving a large national liability, must possess the warrant of having had an honest, deep, and well-balanced consideration. Going before their tribunal armed with the authority which opportunity for inquiry, discussion, and the investigation of facts afford, they naturally invite and generally receive weighty and favourable attention. Hence their authors must be prepared to justify their action by the presentation of such material as will enable a correct judgment to be formed of the manner in which they have carried out their duties, and the worth of their recommendations. Such, it appears to the writer, is the purpose which a report is designed to fulfil, and that purpose has, he trusts, been suitably met in the foregoing pages. It is not claimed that they afford a complete representation of all that took place at the Conference, but enough has been said to enable readers to estimate the extent of its usefulness, or of its claims to merit. In the earlier part of this report allusion has been made to the supreme purpose for which the Conference was held—the advancement of British interests. The same spirit which animated the conception of so patriotic an object ran through every speech, infusing the debates with a tone that in every way was in harmony with the Imperial importance of the occasion. On questions, of method and detail there was, as might be expected, much diversity of opinion ; but in all