VII

A—s

not, to which appeals lie from the decisions of the Supreme Courts of such Colonies, it shall be competent for the Legislature of each such Colony to abolish any existing right of appeal from its Supreme Court to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. (2) That the decisions of such Court of Appeal shall be final, but leave to appeal from such decisions may be granted by the said Court in certain cases prescribed by the statute under which it is established. (3) That the right of any person to apply to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for leave to appeal to it from the decision of such Appeal Court shall not be curtailed. VI. Preferential Trade. [The following Resolutions of the Conference of 1902 were reaffirmed i by the Members of the Conference, with the exception of His Majesty's < Government, who was unable to give its assent, so far as the United Kingdom was concerned, to a reaffirmation of the Resolutions in so far as they imply that it is necessary or expedient to alter the fiscal system of the United Kingdom.] 1. That this Conference recognises 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, and would, by promoting the development of the resources and industries ot the several parts, strengthen the Empire. 2 That this Conference recognises that, in the present circumstances of the Colonies, it is not practicable to adopt a general system of Free Trade as between the Mother Country and the British Dominions beyond the seas. 3. That with a view, however, to promoting the increase of trade within the Empire, it is desirable that those Colonies which have not already adopted such a policy should, as far as their circumstances permit, give substantial preferential treatment to the products and manufactures of the United Kingdom. 4. That the Prime Ministers of the Colonies respectfully urge on His Majesty s Government the expediency of granting in the United Kingdom preferential treatment to the productsand manufacturesof-the Colonies,either by exemption from or reduction of duties now or hereafter imposed. • 5. That the Prime Ministers present at the Conference undertake to submit to their respective Governments, at the earliest opportunity the principle of the resolution, and to request them to take such measures as may be necessary to give effect to it. VII. Commercial Relations. That, without prejudice to the Resolutions already accepted or the Ma reservation of His Majesty's Government, this Conference, recognising these, importance of promoting greater freedom and fuller development of commercial intercourse within the Empire, believes that these objects may be best secured by leaving to each part of the Empire liberty "of action in selecting the most suitable means for attaining them, having regard to its own special conditions and requirements, and that every effort should be made to bring about co-operation in matters of mutual interest.

May 7. See p. 4-2<».

ay 7. '-c p. 438.