A.—7

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AEMY AND NAVY SUPPLY CONTEACTS. On the question of army and navy supply contracts raised by the Government of the Commonwealth, the correspondence which had passed with the Admiralty and War Office, showing the principles which governed the action of these Departments in the matter, was communicated to the Conference, and the Secretary of State for War and the Financial Secretary of the Navy attended and took part in the discussion of the subject. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: —• " That in all Government contracts, whether in the case of the Colonial or the Imperial Governments, it is desirable that as far as practicable the products of the Empire should be preferred to the products of foreign countries. With a view to promoting this result, it is suggested that where such contracts cannot be filled in the country in which the supplies are required, the fullest practicable notice of the requirements and of the conditions of tender should be given both in the colonies and the United Kingdom, and that this notice should be communicated through official channels as well as through the Press." COMMISSIONS IN THE NAVY AND AEMY. The subject of commissions in the army and navy for young men from the colonies was also discussed at the instance of the Government of New Zealand. So far as the navy is concerned, the matter has been dealt with in the special agreements with Australia and New Zealand and the Cape and Natal. Under these arrangements eight cadetships in the navy will be given annually to the Commonwealth of Australia, two each to New Zealand and Cape Colony, and one to Natal, an arrangement which will, it is hoped, still further develop, in the case of these colonies, their practical interest in and association with the work of the navy. With regard to the army, the Secretary of State for War stated that he would regard with favour the possibility of doing something in the direction indicated by the resolution, which was passed unanimously in the following terms: — " That the Prime Ministers of the self-governing colonies suggest that the question of the allotment of the naval and military cadets to the dominions beyond the seas be taken into consideration by the naval and military authorities, with a view to increasing the number of commissions to be offered; that, consistent with insuring suitable candidates, as far as practicable, greater facilities than now obtain should be given to enable young colonists to enter the navy and the army." UNIFOEMITY IN PATTEENS OF WEAPONS. The desirability of uniformity in the patterns of weapons employed by the various military forces of the Empire was brought forward in the opening statement of the Secretary of State for War. There was general agreement on this subject, but no formal resolution was passed. POLITICAL RELATIONS. In regard to the political relations of the Mother-country with the colonies, a motion was presented on behalf of the Government of New Zealand:— " That it would be to the advantage of the Empire if triennial Conferences were held at which questions affecting the political and commercial relations of the Mother-country and His Majesty's dominions over the seas could be discussed and considered, as between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Premiers of the self-governing colonies. In case of any emergency arising, upon which a special Conference may have been deemed necessary, the next ordinary Conference to be held not sooner than three years thereafter." The previous Conference, in 1897, had passed a resolution that— " The Premiers are of opinion that it would be desirable to hold periodical Conferences of representatives of the colonies and Great Britain for the discussion of matters of common interest." It was the general opinion that it was desirable to take a step in advance of that resolution, and, while leaving due latitude for any political exigencies which might render it difficult for the Prime Ministers to leave their colonies at a date fixed in advance, at tbe same time to indicate that the Conferences should not wait for some special object, but should take place as a rule at fixed periods, unless there is some reason to the contrary. This view was embodied in the resolution unanimously adopted : — " That it would be to the advantage of the Empire if Conferences were held, as far as practicable, at intervals not exceeding four years, at which questions of common interest affecting the relations of the Mother-country and His Majesty's Dominions over the seas could be discussed and considered, as between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Prime Ministers of the selfgoverning colonies. The Secretary of State for the Colonies is requested to arrange for such Conferences, after communication with the Prime Ministers of the respective colonies. In case of any emergency arising upon which a special Conference may have been deemed necessary, the next ordinary Conference to be held not sooner than three years thereafter." COMMUNICATION WITH COLONIES PEIOE TO CONCLUDING TREATIES. The only other matters affecting political relations before the Conference were the questions raised by the Government of the Commonwealth of communicating with the colonies with regard to the terms of treaties before they are concluded, and of an Imperial Court of Appeal. In regard to the former, it was explained that, in regard to treaties of commerce and navigation, which appeared to be more especially contemplated by the Commonwealth Government, every