A.—7.

as an autonomous unit of the British Commonwealth of Nations; socially, towards the attainment of the ideal inseparably bound up with that Commonwealth—freedom perfected by order, order perfected by freedom. . that attainment India will have no mean contribution of her own to make to the Commonwealth. No two nations, no two races, interpret and realize those words " order " and freedom *in precisely the same way; but their realization may be none the less true and rich if they are transmuted by the genius of individual peoples. If India has received and will continue to receive much from the Commonwealth, she has equally much to give. I should wish to conclude these few remarks by expressing our gratitude to you, Sir, for the welcome which you have just given to us in such cordial terms, and by offering to His Majesty's Government our sincere thanks for the abundant and gracious hospitalitv extended to us. Chairman: I think the Conference would like the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and the Chief Minister of Burma to address them. STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA. The Hon. G. M. Huggins: Mr. Prime Minister, I would first like to express my thanks to the United Kingdom and to the Dominions for inviting delegates from Southern Rhodesia, as observers, to attend this Conference. Some people, with mathematical minds, may experience a, little difficulty in working out the exact spot along the passage between the Colonial Office and the Dominions Office at which they may expect to find Southern Rhodesia. It is perhaps of more practical importance that both offices are under the protection of the same good roof. To us in Southern Rhodesia the significant point is that we are partners with other members of the British Empire. A junior partner we may be, but none the less anxious for the safety and prosperity of the partnership as an entity. We desire to co-operate not only with those who have the dignity of Dominion status, but also with the vast and wealthy territories which are embraced by the general term " other possessions." I consider that, after his primary duties to the partnership, it is perhaps peculiarly incumbent upon a junior partner to keep an eye on his proper and particular interests. ' Exact definition of our status is, at the moment, of less importance to us than the prosperity and integrity of the partnership. Southern Rhodesia is to-day at much the same stage in her constitutional evolution as were the great Dominions at the opening of the first Imperial Conference. We British people have, relative to most others, a high standard of living, and one of our major problems is to see that that standard, obtained after a long struggle, is not endangered by the fetish of cheapness during the period that must elapse whilst those other people are being raised to a like standard. The whole of our problems bristle with difficulties, but our presence here to-day is to lend our aid, to the utmost of our modest ability, in solving the problems which are common to the Empire as a whole. STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF BURMA. Dr. Ba Maw: Mr. Prime Minister, I wish to thank very sincerely the Governments of Great Britain and the Dominions for the recognition accorded to Burma by allowing her to be represented at this Conference. The significance for Burma of this recognition is great, for, as I see it, it is a symbolic acceptance of her true status, both political and economic, a status that has made her in their eyes worthy of the vital rights of free and equal partnership. It is, of course, true that Burma is here • only as an observer. This arrangement is, in a way, good, for I think I shall be acting' in accordance with the present political feeling in Burma if I merely attend, and observe,' and take part only when such participation is necessary for the safeguarding of our essential interests. For this also, Sir, I am grateful to you.

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