A.—6

Need for Improvements. It must not be supposed, however, that my attitude is one of satisfied complacency. No responsible person believes that we have reached finality in our relations. It is our business at this Conference to take stock of our situation as a whole, to locate our weak places, and to do all we can to strengthen them. In the conduct of Foreign Relations. As regards foreign affairs, perhaps the most important question which arises is the admitted necessity for improvement in the present system of communication and of consultation between the Governments of the Empire, with a view to giving fuller effect to the principle of " continuous consultation on all matters of common concern," the importance of which was affirmed by the Imperial War Conference of 1917 and reaffirmed by subsequent Conferences. I have already referred to the great progress which has been made in the direction of keeping the Dominion Prime Ministers informed by mail and telegraph from London on all matters of world politics, but I think that we must certainly examine what results flow from the system thus set up, and consider what developments are possible both as regards it and as regards the arrangements for the supply of information in the reverse direction. As regards the system of consultation, the most pressing problem, it seems to me, is whether it is possible to increase the opportunities for personal discussion, which experience has shown to be at present insufficient, particularly in relation to matters of major importance in foreign affairs where expedition is often essential and urgent decision necessary. In Defence. In the sphere of defence also there are matters which require careful joint consideration. I have already mentioned one direction—namely, the development of common doctrine- by the interchange of facilities for technical education—in which there is room for further progress—but it will be obvious that in the wider questions of policy, which must constantly be adapted to meet changing conditions, there is urgent need for constant and close co-operation. In Trade. As regards Empire trade and settlement, though all of us have gone far, we can, I hope, go a great deal further towards the achievement of our common object, which is, as I conceive it, that each of the Governments should give, subject to the special economic needs of the countries which they represent, not only the most sympathetic consideration, but the fullest practical encouragement to the development of inter-Imperial trade. When I consider the extent of the resources of the different parts of the Empire and their essentially complementary character, I cannot resist the conclusion that a policy of effective co-operation between us all would produce results in the creation of wealth and of human welfare for each of us out of all proportion to what we could severally achieve in economic isolation. But we can only make effective progress in that direction in the degree that our various peoples realize the greatness of their opportunity and concentrate their purpose upon it. Conclusion. I will not at this stage attempt to make any suggestions as to the solution of the many problems which we have to face. The detailed agenda is before you. It is not the least of the many advantages which flow from these Conferences that those who are primarily responsible for the peace, order, and good government of no small part of the world here meet one another face to face, on such a footing as to be able to interchange our views on the basis of absolute equality, without restraint, without resentment of criticism, in an atmosphere of common desire to reach agreement. In a world still suffering severely from the shock of the war, still rent by barely concealed rifts, dissension, and bitterness, the British Empire stands as one of the great stabilizing elements. In what spirit and with what ideals shall we, who have the responsibility for its governance, face the problems which confront us ? You will find both, I think, summed up in a phrase which is traditionally attributed to St. Augustine. It is this : "In essentials, unity ; in non-essentials, liberty ; in all things, charity." OPENING SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA. Mr. Mackenzie King : Prime Minister and members of the Conference, I believe it is the custom that the representative of the senior Dominion should speak first after the Prime Minister of Great Britain, and it is perhaps as well that precedent should be followed on this occasion as on others. I could wish that representatives of the Dominions of longer experience were present to speak first, but, looking about this table, I realise that Mr. Bruce, Mr. Cosgrave, and I are the only three Prime Ministers from the Dominions who were present at the last Conference, notwithstanding that it was our first Conference. That only helps to illustrate the vicissitudes of political life and fortune, and the importance of a gathering such as this in enabling us all to become more intimately acquainted, and to have the privilege of discussing together the great questions in which we are all concerned. May I take this opportunity of joining in the Prime Minister's expressions of regret at the death, since our last Conference, of Lord Curzon and of Mr. Massey ? Lord Curzon was a great Imperial figure, the representative of a splendid tradition of prolonged preparation and high service. Those of us who were privileged to listen three years ago in this room to his masterly three hours' survey of world affairs —a remarkable intellectual feat —will long cherish his memory. Mr. Massey, on the

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