The Resolution was submitted to the full Conference and unanimously approved. It was thought, however, that it would be of assistance to add a short explanatory statement in connection with part I (3), setting out the existing procedure in relation to the ratification of Treaties. This procedure is as follows:-

(a) The ratification of treaties imposing obligations on one part of the Empire is effected at the instance of the government of that part:

(b) The ratification of treaties imposing obligations on more than one part of the Empire is effected after consultation between the governments of those parts of the Empire concerned. It is for each government to decide whether Parliamentary approval or legislation is required before desire for, or concurrence in, ratification is intimated by that government.

X.-THE UNITED STATES AND "C" MANDATES.

Certain general questions concerning the territories in South West Africa and the Southern Pacific administered under "C" Mandates had been raised by the Government of the United States of America, and the opportunity of the Conference was taken to examine these questions.

XI. CONDOMINIUM IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

The developments in the New Hebrides since the Conference of 1921 were examined and the present situation and possibilities of action further discussed by representatives of the British Government in consultation with the Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand.

XII.-DEFENCE.

The Conference gave special consideration to the question of Defence, and the manner in which co-operation and mutual assistance could best be effected after taking into account the political and geographical conditions of the various parts of the Empire.

The Lord President of the Council, as Chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence, opened this part of the work of the Conference by a statement outlining the main problems of Defence as they exist to-day. He was followed by the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Secretary of State for War and the Secretary of State for Air, each of whom explained to the Conference the aspects of defence which concerned his special responsibilities.

In addition to these statements there was a full and frank interchange of views in which the standpoints of the various representatives and the circumstances of their countries were made clear. There were

also discussions at the Admiralty and Air Ministry at which Naval and Air Defence were dealt with in greater detail. The points involved were explained by the Chiefs of the Naval and Air Staffs respectively and were farther examined.

In connection with Naval Defence one matter of immediate interest came before the Conference, namely, the projected Empire Cruise of a squadron of modern warships. The First Lord of the Admiralty explained that the project was that two capital ships, the "Hood" and the "Repulse," together with a small squadron of modern light cruisers, should visit South Africa, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, and return by way of British Columbia, the Panama Canal and Eastern Canada. The light cruisers would accompany the battle cruisers as far as British Columbia, but would return to England by way of the west coast of South America and Cape Horn. The Dominion Prime Ministers expressed their appreciation of this proposal, and assured the Conference that the ships would be most heartily welcomed in their countries.

After the whole field of Defence had been surveyed, the Conference decided that it would be advisable to record in the following resolutions its conclusions on the chief matters which had been discussed :"(1) The Conference affirms that it is necessary to provide for the adequate defence of the territories and trade of the several countries comprising the British Empire.

(2) In this connection the Conference expressly recognises that it is for the Parliaments of the several parts of the Empire, upon the recommendations of their respective Governments, to decide the nature and extent of any action which should be taken by them.

(3) Subject to this provision, the Conference suggests the following as guiding principles :

(a) The primary responsibility of each portion of the Empire
represented at the Conference for its own local defence.
(b) Adequate provision for safeguarding the maritime com-
munications of the several parts of the Empire and the
routes and waterways along and through which their
armed forces and trade pass.

(c) The provision of Naval bases and facilities for repair
and fuel so as to ensure the mobility of the fleets.
(d) The desirability of the maintenance of a minimum standard
of Naval Strength, namely, equality with the Naval
Strength of any foreign power, in accordance with the
provisions of the Washington Treaty on Limitation of
Armament as approved by Great Britain, all the self-
governing Dominions and India.

(e) The desirability of the development of the Air Forces
in the several countries of the Empire upon such lines
as will make it possible, by means of the adoption,
as far as practicable, of a common system of organisa-

tion and training and the use of uniform manuals,
patterns of arms, equipment, and stores (with the
exception of the type of aircraft), for each part of
the Empire as it may determine to co-operate with
other parts with the least possible delay and the
greatest efficiency.

(4) In the application of these principles to the several parts
of the Empire concerned the Conference takes note of :-
(a) The deep interest of the Commonwealth of Australia,
the Dominion of New Zealand, and India, in the
provision of a Naval Base at Singapore, as essential
for ensuring the mobility necessary to provide for the
security of the territories and trade of the Empire
in Eastern Waters.

(b) The necessity for the maintenance of safe passage along
the great route to the East through the Mediterranean
and the Red Sea.

(c) The necessity for the maintenance by Great Britain of a Home Defence Air Force of sufficient strength to give adequate protection against air attack by the strongest air force within striking distance of her shores.

(5) The Conference, while deeply concerned for the paramount importance of providing for the safety and integrity of all parts of the Empire, earnestly desires, so far as is consistent with this consideration, the further limitation of armaments, and trusts that no opportunity may be lost to promote this object."

XIII. STATUS OF HIGH COMMISSIONERS.

Certain questions were discussed relating to the status of the High Commissioners in Great Britain, particularly in connection with precedence and with exemption from taxation, Customs duties, etc.

The representatives of the British Government undertook to examine the points raised, while explaining that any alteration of the existing rules of precedence would require the approval of His Majesty the King.

XIV. POSITION OF INDIANS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE EMPIRE.

The position of Indians in other parts of the Empire was reviewed by the Conference in the light of the developments which have taken place since the Resolution which formed part of the Pro

ceedings at the 1921 Conference.* The subject was opened by a general statement from the Secretary of State for India as Head of the Indian Delegation. He explained that the intensity of feeling aroused in India by this question was due to the opinion widely held there (which, however, he did not himself share) that the disabilities of Indians were based on distinction of colour and were badges of racial inferiority. This statement was followed by a full presentation of the case on behalf of India by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and His Highness the Maharajah of Alwar.

It was found possible to publish these speeches, and those made in the course of the discussions by the Prime Minister of Great Britain, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Dominion Prime Ministers and the Minister of External Affairs of the Irish Free State, shortly after the speeches had been delivered.† In this respect the procedure differed from that at the Conference of 1921 when only the Resolution adopted was made public. It is unnecessary in the present Report to do more than refer to the main proposal made on behalf of the Indian Delegation and the views expressed and conclusions reached with regard to it. The Indian proposal was to the effect that the Dominion Governments concerned, and the British Government for the Colonies and Protectorates, should agree to the appointment of Committees to confer with a Committee appointed by the Indian Government as to the best and quickest means of giving effect to the Resolution of the 1921 Conference.

In the case of the Union of South Africa, which was not a party to the 1921 Resolution, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru expressed the hope that the Union Government would agree to the Government of India sending an agent to South Africa who would protect Indian nationals there, who would serve as an intermediary between them and the Union Government, and who would place the Indian Government in full. possession of the facts regarding Indian nationals in South Africa.

The Conference expressed its high appreciation of the able and moderate manner in which Lord Peel and his colleagues had presented the Indian case. The opinions expressed and the conclusions reached with regard to the above suggestions were, in brief, as follows:—

The Prime Minister of Canada observed that, so far as he knew, Indians now domiciled in Canada did not suffer any legal or political disability in eight out of the nine provinces of Canada; as regards the ninth province-British Columbia-he was not aware of any legal disability, and even the political disability that existed in the matter of the exercise of the franchise does not apply to all Indians because the federal law relating to the franchise lays it down that any Indian who served with His Majesty's military, naval or air forces is entitled to the franchise. He explained the present difficulties in conceding the franchise to Indians generally in British Columbia which are due not to distinction of colour but to economic and complex political considerations, and he reiterated what he had already said to Mr. Sastri on the occasion of the latter's visit to Canada in 1922, namely, that the

* Cmd. 1474, P. 8. † See Appendix V in Cmd. 1988.

question whether natives of India resident in Canada should be granted a Dominion Parliamentary Franchise on terms and conditions identical with those which govern the exercise of that right by Canadian citizens generally was necessarily one which Parliament alone could determine, and that the matter would be submitted to Parliament for consideration when the Franchise Law comes up for revision.

Mr. Mackenzie King added that he was somewhat doubtful whether the visit of a Committee appointed by the Government of India would make it easier to deal with this problem in Canada, but that, should it be desired to send a Committee, the Canadian Government would readily appoint a Committee to confer with the Committee from India.

The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia explained the principles underlying the present attitude of Australia on this question. He stated that the representatives of every shade of political thought in Australia had shown sympathy with the claim that lawfully domiciled Indians should enjoy full citizen rights, and that he believed that public opinion was ready to welcome, so far as concerned the position of such Indians, any measure conceived in the interests of the Empire as a whole.

The Commonwealth had the right to control the admission to its territories of new citizens, and its immigration policy was founded on economic considerations. He felt that, in view of the position which existed in Australia, there was no necessity for a Committee, but -assured the Indian representatives that he would consult his colleagues on his return to Australia as to what action should be taken in connection with the Resolution of the 1921 Conference.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand said that the New Zealand Government would welcome the visit of a Committee from India such as had been suggested should this be desired; New Zealand practically gave the natives of India now resident in the Dominion the same privileges as were enjoyed by people of the Anglo-Saxon race who were settled there.

The Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa intimated that, so far as South Africa was concerned, it was not a question of colour, but that a different principle was involved. He stated that the attitude of thinking men in South Africa was not that the Indian was inferior because of his colour or on any other ground-he might be their superior-but the question had to be considered from the point of view of economic competition. In other words, the white community in South Africa felt that the whole question of the continuance of western civilisation in South Africa was involved. General Smuts could hold out no hope of any further extension of the political rights of Indians in South Africa and, so far as the Union was concerned, he could not accept Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru's proposal.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies, on behalf of the British Government, cordially accepted the proposal of Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru that there should be full consultation and discussion between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and a Committee appointed by the Government of India upon all questions affecting British Indians