17

A.—s

Mr. DEAKIN : For instance, on the question of Preferential Trade, no doubt Sir Wilfrid Laurier would desire to speak, and at the same time Mr. Fielding. So also I should desire to have the assistance of Sir William Lyne. CHAIRMAN : So that the two have a right to speak ? Sir WILFRID LAURIER . The Prime Minister has a right to speak always, but upon the question of Defence, for instance, I should desire to have the assistance of my colleague. Dr. JAMESON : The next point in connection with that, which I want to bring forward, is that General Botha's Government have deputed Sir Richard Solomon to act with him in the Conference, and owing to his position, as he told us in his speech this morning, General Botha is very anxious constantly to have the advice of Sir Richard Solomon. Of course, Sir Richard Solomon could nof be a member of the Conference, or take any part in it in any way, but I thought it possible the Conference might agree that the Prime Ministers should have their secretaries present with papers, and so on, which would be a very great convenience, and is a thing which is allowed in most other Conferences. In that wav Sir Richard Solomon could come in and be a help to General Botha. General BOTHA : If it involves a wrong principle I will not press it at all, because I am a man for principles, and I do not want to lay down wrong principles. Sir Richard Solomon is now here to assist me, and if possible I would like to have him present, but, as I say, I do not want to see wrong principles laid down for this Conference which will bind future Conferences. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : With all due deference, and with every desire to oblige my colleagues, I hardly think Sir Richard Solomon could give this Conference any assistance. If he were in a position of a secretary, I think it might have been done. Mr. DEAKIN : The Colonial Office secretaries are here. They take no part, though they come in freely to produce papers and supply information. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : That is not taking part in the Conference. Mr. DEAKIN : No, and that is all that is proposed in this case. Dr. JAMESON : General Botha does not ask that Sir Richard Solomon should open his mouth except to whisper in General Botha's ear. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : That is not taking part in the Conference. Mr. DEAKIN : No. There is no objection to the secretaries being present. Sir WILFRID LAURIER . At the last Conference my secretary used to bring my papers and bag up to the door, but never further. Mr. DEAKIN : If our secretaries were present, they could pass us papers and sort out what we wanted. 4—A. 5.

First Day. 15 April 1907,

Arrangement op Business.