17

A.—4a

11.-PROCEEDINGS OF THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. A. The first meeting was held at the Foreign Office, on Wednesday, 28th July, and subsequent meetings took place on 29th July at the War Office, and on the 3rd, sth, 6th, and 19th of August at the Foreign Office. At the opening meeting the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as President of the Imperial Conference, occupied the chair, and addressed the representatives of the self-governing Dominions. The Right Honourable the Earl of Crewe, K.G., Secretary of State for the Colonies, presided at the other meetings. The Right Honourable R. B. Haldane, M.P., took part in the proceedings in his capacity as Secretary of State for War, and the Right Honourable R. McKenna, in his capacity as First Lord of the Admiralty. The following were the members of the Conference from the self-governing Dominions beyond the seas : — Canada: The Hon. Sir F. W. Boeben, K.C.M.G., Minister of Militia and Defence. The Hon. L. P. Brodeur, K.C., LL.D., Minister of Marine and Fisheries. A ustralia: Colonel the Hon. J. F. G. Foxton, C.M.G., Minister without portfolio. New Zealand: The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Cape Colony: The Right Hon. J. X. Merriman, Prime Minister. Newfoundland: The Hon. Sir E. P. Morris, Prime Minister. Natal: Colonel the Hon. E. M. Greene, K.C., Minister for Railways and Harbours. Transvaal : The Hon. J. C. Smuts, Colonial Secretary. Orange River Colony : The Hon. A. Fischer, Prime Minister. General the Hon. J. B. M. Hertzog, Attorney-General. There were also present during the proceedings : — Colonel J. E. B. Seely, D.5.0., M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Dr. T. J. Macnamara, M.P., Parliamentary to the Admiralty. Lord Lucas, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for War. Mr. F. D. Acland, M.P., Financial Secretary, War Office. Sir Francis Hopwood, G.C.M.G., X.C.8., Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Rear-Admiral Sir C. L. Ottley, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence.