7

A.—4a

other member of the Government assisted by expert advice, but it is the Commonwealth entirely for the Government of New Zealand tQ decide the Cape Colony L Newfoundland cisc form of its representation. " The Conference would, of course, be of a purely consultative character, it would be held in private, and its deliberations would be assisted by the presence of members of the Committee of Imperial Defence, or of other expert advisers of His Majesty's Government. I am addressing a similar message to the other members of the Imperial Conference." I am strongly of opinion that an early confidential exchange of views between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of His Majesty's selfgoverning Dominions beyond the seas will be of the greatest mutual advantage, and I therefore trust that your Prime Minister and his colleagues will see their way to adopt the proposal. [To Newfoundland only: At present juncture I presume your Prime Minister will suspend definite answer until the elections are over.] [To Cape only: I recognise that at the present time the Government of Cape Colony in common with the other South African Governments which are contemplating the probability of early union may not be in a position to take an active part in such a Conference, but the absence of any representatives of the South African Dominions from its deliberations would be a serious' detriment to the completeness of the Conference. Please repeat this telegram to the Governors of Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and Natal. I have informed them that I have communicated message to you for Prime Minister of Cape Colony which is also for communication to other Prime Ministers in identic terms.] —Crewe.

No. 12. TRANSVAAL, ORANGE RIVER COLONY, NATAL. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNORS. (Sent 6 p.m., 30th April, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by Nos. 18, 23, 26, and 33.] The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as President of the Imperial Conference, has desired me to ask you to convey a message to the Prime Minister of [the Transvaal], [the Orange River Colony], [Natal], which he has also addressed to the Prime Ministers of the other South African Colonies in identic terms. I have communicated the text in a telegram to the Governor of the Cape Colony,* and I have asked him to repeat my telegram to you. —Crewe.

No. 13. CANADA. The SECRETARY OF STATE to the GOVERNOR-GENERAL. (Sent 6 p.m., 30th April, 1909.) Telegram. [Answered by No. 15.] The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as President of the Imperial

*No. 11.