51

A.—s

have to take all the responsibilities of what takes place here, and I do not feel at all disposed to do it under those conditions. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : The position I took up was that the Prime Ministers should be assisted by their colleagues. That was my view from the first, and it is still my view. My view was that any Prime Minister who had the benefit of the presence of his colleagues here in the city, would be very much more satisfied if he had the assistance of those colleagues at the Conference. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : I cannot hear. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : I say that the position I, for Canada, took up was that the Prime Ministers should have the privilege of being assisted by their colleagues, that was my view from the first. I put it to the Conference, but I did not press it to a conclusion as there seemed a difference of opinion prevailing; but so far as I am concerned you are welcome to take part in the proceedings as if you were the Prime Minister himself. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : My feeling, if I may express it, is that I came from Australia expecting to take part in this Conference to a certain extent. I am here to take all the responsibility which I will have to bear, and the records will show whether I am present or not, but I am not allowed even to say two words, excepting it is a case where I might be asked to come here, and I think it would be better not to take that responsibility unless I can sit close to my Prime Minister, where I should have liked to be yesterday. Dr. JAMESON : It seems to me, Sir William Lyne, that Lord Elgin has explained that you have a perfect right, and I understood the Conference to agree that the Prime Ministers would not on any particular occasion be assisted by more than one; but it is between the Prime Minister and the colleague how much the Prime Minister should do, and how much the colleague. We have admitted that the Prime Minister can have his colleague talking upon one motion, so long as it is one only, as much as the Prime Minister himself if he likes; so that I think Sir William Lyne is really part of the Conference and entitled to speak. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : lam only a small part. lam not half of myself quite. Dr. JAMESON : Half of your Prime Minister. Sir WILFRID LAURIER : All these arrangements are temporary. We are discussing the constitution of the Conference, and that is a thing to be settled, which is before us yet. Sir WILLIAM LYNE : 1 did not want to say much on any but one or two matters, but at the same time I wanted to know exactly the position I am in because I do not want to get up and say anything and be called to order. I desire to know beforehand whether or not I would be in order if I wanted to interject something or speak. Ido not know how to get by my Prime Minister, but if I was able to talk to him at the table it would obviate a very great deal of the objection I have. Sitting so far away from my Prime Minister so that I cannot confer with him places me in a very awkward position, a position I was never placed in before and I am not going to be now.

Third Day 18 April 1907.

Sir William Lyne.