13

A.—6a

Resolution 111. Aliens. That this Imperial Economic Conference, taking note of the disabilities imposed under the workmen's compensation laws of certain foreign countries on British subjects residing in those countries and their dependants, invites each Government of the Empire, regard being had to its own particular conditions, to consider the possibility of adopting in workmen's compensation legislation the principle of reciprocity—that is, that the benefits of such legislation should be accorded to subjects of foreign countries upon the condition that and to the extent to which such foreign countries accord reciprocal treatment to British subjects. The Conference notes in adopting the foregoing resolutions that in certain of the Dominions workmen's compensation falls wholly or partially within provincial or State jurisdiction, and is in those cases and to that extent outside the control of the Dominion Government. 8. IMPERIAL ECONOMIC COMMITTEE. It was decided to adopt the following resolution : — That in the opinion of this Imperial Economic Conference (Canada dissenting) — (I.) It is desirable to establish an Imperial Economic Committee, comprising representatives of the Governments represented in the Imperial Conference, and responsible; to those Governments. (2.) The function of the Committee should be to consider and advise upon any matters of an economic or commercial character, not being matters appropriate to be dealt with by the Imperial Shipping Committee, which are referred to it by any of the constituent Governments, provided that no question which has any reference to another part of the Empire may be referred to the Committee without the consent of that other part of the Empire. It was further decided that in the constitution of the proposed Imperial Economic Committee representation should be allotted to the various constituent Governments as follows : — Great Britain .. .. .. .. .. 4 members. Dominions .. .. .. .. .. 2 members each. India . . . . .. .. .. . . 2 members. Colonies and Protectorates .. .. .. . . 2 members.

OPENING SPEECHES. Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame, as Chairman, opened the proceedings on the 2nd October with a brief review of the economic situation and the work which, lay before the Conference. He was followed in turn by the Prime Ministers of Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and Newfoundland, by Mr. MoGrath for the; Irish Free State, by Mr. Innes for India, and by Mr. Ormsby-Gore for the colonies and protectorates. The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, who was unable to arrive in England in time for the beginning of the Conference, made his opening statement at the fourth meeting, on the 9th October. The opening speeches were published in full at the time, and were as follows :— OPENING SPEECH BY SIR PHILIP LLOYD-GREAME. It needs no words on the part of the representatives of the British Government to express the gratification we all. feel at being associated with you in the work of this Economic Conference. We; have looked forwarel keenly to the occasion. At any time it would be of great value that the Governments of the Empire should devote their concerted attention in council to the economic problems with which th(;y are confronted; but surely there could be no more opportune moment than the present for the meeting of such a Conference. We are all faced with economic problems and difficulties, differing in character and degree, but all of them having a common origin in the upheaval caused by the war, and the dislocation and efisturbance which, have followed in its train. And, as these problems have a common origin, they are, I believe, susceptible to a, large extent of a common solution. If we are to co-operate in common or complementary action, this can only be done by meeting in conference, where we can speak with the frankness of partners and with the purpose of partners to work out a policy in which the various parts of the Empire can co-operate to their mutual advantage. Economic Position of Great Britain. Our position in this country is well, known to you. You have watched our industrial development. That development has involved an increasing dependence-on (export trade, an increasing dependence on imported materials ; and our capacity to buy those materials is dependent principally on our capacity to maintain our e-xport trade by sales overseas. And throughout all our period of industrial development the maintenance of a growing population has depended upon the concurrent expansion of trade.