March 21, 1924 (14th Parliament, 3rd Session)

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

In order that there may appear correctly in Hansard the references to the persons concerned in the subsidiary conference to which I have referred, I would direct the attention of hon. members to the opening paragraph in the summary of proceedings of the Imperial Conference. I have reference to the section relating to negotiations, signature and ratification of treaties.
The principles governing the relations of the various parts of the Empire in connection with the negotiations, signature and ratification of treaties seemed to the conference to be of the greatest importance. Accordingly it was arranged that the subject should be fully examined by a committee, of which the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was chairman The Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Prime Ministers of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Newfoundland, the Minister of External Affairs, of the Irish Free State, and the Secretary of State for India as head of the Indian Delegation, served on this committee. With the assistance of the legal advisor to the Foreign Office, Sir C. J. B. Hurst, K.C.B., K.C., the following resolution was drawn up and agreed to
Then follow several paragraphs relating to negotiations, the signing of treaties, and their ratification. It was as a member of that conference that I heard stated the position as I have given it to this House; and it was,
I think, quite beyond question in the mind of anyone present that the position wks exactly as I have indicated. Indeed, I might say to my right hon. friend, so important did I consider the matter, that at the conference I asked the particular question to which he himself has referred, and received the reply which I have given to the House.