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interest is the nomination of the Secretarytothe Conference T'have already quoted what I said to the Conference in regard to this matter. My promise was to take from our own Staff a gentleman for the special duties arising out of the work of the Conference connected with what had passed and leading up to the future. I say at once that this post ought to be filled by a man of proved äbility, of wide experience, and of a standing which will justify him in having access, whencver necessary, direct to the Secretary of State, [am glad to say that I can secure at once continuity from Conference to Conference. I feel that I am able to promote to this new post the gentleman who occupied the position of Joint-Secretary to the late Conference, Mr. Just has an experience of Colonial affairs which is second to nome, and a special knowledge of South African business, having visited the country himself when the Secretary of State of the time paid a visit to it. He has an unsurpassed capacity for work, and the Papers which he prepared for the last Conference were never mentioned without its members expressing their appreciation. He holds the rank of Assistant Under-Secretary, and I claim that in appointing him to this post I am appointing a man of experience, of merit, and of position which ought to secure for it the esteem which its best friends desire. 1 will not go further to-night; I will not mention other members of the staff by name, but T will only just observe that I feel I shall be able to find men in our Service who have visited the self-governing Colonies, and I

shall be only too glad to profit by their experience.

I think it right to make one remark as to a very unfair prejudice which is sometimes excited by semi-contemptuous references to Colonial Office Clerks. That is an expression calculated to mislead, but I am sure it will not mislead in this House. It is well known by all who care to know that the higher ranks in the Public Service of this country are filled by members of the great Civil Service of which this country is proud, and from which the requirements of India, as well as of England, are met by the same examination and from the same lists. The gentlemen in the Colonial Office have passed the severest educational tests, many of them possess University distinctions, and they are.men who have ungrudgingly devoted the best years of their life to work which no doubt has moments of great interest and excitement, but which is, after all, apt to be monotonous and is certainly arduous, unceasing and responsible beyond that of most men. [ would only remark that that career is open to all subjects of His Majesty, and is open to our brethren beyond the seas if they choose to qualify themselves for it, and, as Î ventured to say in the Conference, possibly under the influence of the Rhodes Scholarships more Colonials will enter our ranks. We shall be only too happy to give them a welcome, [ would only say just one word in conclusion. I have pointed out that it was the decision of the Conference itself which limited me defnitely to the line of advance which [ have pursued, [ maintain that [ have carried out my mandate fully and without reserve, and though I am not

without sympathy with those who think that there are more

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advanced posts that might be occupied at some future time, [ venture to say that we have at the present moment taken possession of the most advanced post which we can safely occupy. After all, representative institutions are the truest defences of our liberties, and we must make the machinery of government conform to the requirements of the representative institutions which we possess. I think I have now given the noble Lord all the information which at this time to-might it is reasonable to inflict upon the House.

Tus Earc or Jersey : I think the statement the noble Earl has just made clearly shows that he has carried out what seems to have been the understanding, judging by the Blue- Book, at the recent Conference. I believe also his decision to have a Dominions Department for the self-governing Colonies will be received with great satisfaction in other parts of the Empire. I was also glad to hear him say a word on behalf ot the staff of the Colonial Office. It is true that sometimes criticisms are passed on the staff, but, after all, criticisms are passed on {he very best of staffs, and they no doubt sometimes arise because people do not get exactly what they want. Those who have had the opportunity of dealing with the Colonial Office, whether as regards the Chief or those who serve under him, will say that they have always met there with the greatest ability and also the greatest courtesy, and [ trust in the Dominions of the Crown the same satisfaction will be felt as I feel with the remarks which the noble Earl has made with regard to his decision

in the re-arrangements of his office.

Formules imprimées de correspondance relative au contrôle du « Secretary of State » sur les lois votées

par les colonies autonomes.

Downing Street,

Sir, L Ihave the honour to inform you that His Majesty

will not be advised lo exercise his powers of disallo- Ü : à

wance with respect lo the , No. of , Of the Legislature of , entitled

a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. of the 1 have the honour to be, Sir, Your mosl obedient, humble Servant, The Officer Administering |

the Government of

Downing Street, Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised lo exercise His power of disallowance with respect to the following

of the Legislature of transcripts of which accompanied your Despatch No. of the The Officer Administering

the Government of

ES Downing Street, My Lord, 1 have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith transcript of a passed by the Legislature of entitled

1 have to request that your Lordship will submit this to the King in Council, with my recommendation that His Majesty would be pleased to

1 have the honour to be, My Lord, ‘Your most obedient Servant,

The Lord President.

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= 0 ; AC 7 =" No.

Downing Street, TS 15020 1 have received and have had under my consideration passed by the Legislature of - entitled

which was transmilled lo me in your Despatch No. of the PAU : = 1 have reported lo His Majesty in Council my

opinion (hat the said

; and I have (he honour {o transmit lo you =. | Fe: herewith an order of His Majesty in Council, dated the approving that report. M.

l'have the honour {o be, Sir; | Your most obedient, humble Servant, - The Officer Administering ê

the Government of

Vu: le Président de la thèse

Pauz. LESEUR Vu le Doyen : 2

P. CAUWÉS

Vu et permis d'imprimer Le Vice-Recteur 'de l’Académie de Paris