A.—6a

6

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA. Sir Howard Gorges, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., Chairman of Board of Trade and Industries. Sir W. Macintosh, M.L.A. Senator the Hon. J. P. Malan. Sir E. Chappell, C.B.E. Mr. W. J. O'Brien, 0.8. E., M.L.A. Mr. W. Marshall. Mr. G. Owen Smith, 1.5.0.. Commissioner of Customs and Excise. Mr. J. Collie, 0.8. E., Department of Finance. Mr. it. E. C. Mitchell, Private Secretary to the Hon. H. Burton, K.C. IRISH FREE STATE. Senator Sir John Keane, Bart. Senator R. M. Butler. Mr. Gordon Campbell, Secretary to tin; Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Mr. J. J. Macelligot, Ministry of Finance. Mr. C. J. Flynn, Revenue Commissioner. Professor T. A. Smiddy. NEWFOUNDLAND. The Hon. Sir Patrick T. McGrath, K.8.E., Member of Legislative Council. Captain V. Gordon, Acting High Commissioner. INDIA. Sir E. M. Cook, C.5.1., CLE. Mr. H. A. F. Lindsay, C.8.E., Indian Trade Commissioner in London. Apart from, the plenary meetings, thirty meetings of Committees of the Conference took placeThere wore also a number of informal meetings between members of the Conference to discuss various matters bearing on the business of the Conference.

RESOLUTIONS AGREED TO BY THE CONFERENCE. 1. OVERSEA SETTLEMENT WITHIN THE EMPIRE. It was decided to adopt the following resolution This Imperial Economic Conference approves the report of the Committee appointed to consider questions relating to oversea settlement.* The Conference endorses the recommendations of the Committee, and notes with satisfaction the arrangements as recorded in the report which have been arrived at, or arc in contemplation, with a view to improving the facilities for settlement within the Empire. The Conference takes this opportunity of reaffirming its sense of the importance of the policy of oversea settlement to the well-being of the Empire. 2. CO-OPERATION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPERIAL DEVELOPMENT. It was agreed that the scheme recommended by the Committee on Co-operation in Financial Assistance to Imperial Development be adopted. The report of the Committee reads as follows : — The Committee on Financial Co-operation recommends for adoption by the Conference the following scheme, which was submitted to the Committee by the representatives of His Majesty's Government. The suggestion which the Imperial Government make is that in order to facilitate the anticipation of work which otherwise would not be taken in hand for some years they should give a contribution towards the interest charges on loans raised for capital expenditure of this kind by public-utility undertakings (viz., communications, power, lighting, water, drainage, irrigation, &c.). These undertakings might be under either public or private control or management. The assistance would be in respect of expenditure on orders placed in this country, and would be applicable only to schemes approved by the Dominion or Central Government concerned and certified by it to be in anticipation of normal expenditure. Payment would be made to the Dominion or Central Government, which would be responsible for payment to the ultimate recipient. It is suggested that the maximum grant should be three-quarters of the interest charges for a period of five years. In order to qualify for the Imperial contribution a scheme, must bo accepted by the Imperial Government within the next three years. The approval on behalf of the Imperial Government would be given after consultation with the Treasury, the Colonial or India Office, and the Board of Trade. It would be understood that priority will be given to schemes involving the earliest placing of orders. v

* See page 67.