CHAP. TI1] THE CONFERENCE OF 1911 1487
2. Imperial representation of oversea Dominions with a view
to furthering Imperial sentiment, solidarity, and interest.
That the Empire has now reached a stage of Imperial
development which renders it expedient that there should be
an Imperial Council of State, with representatives from all
the constituent parts of the Empire, whether self-governing
or not, in theory and in fact advisory to the Imperial Government
 on all questions affecting the interests of His Majesty’s
Dominions oversea.
3. Reconstitution of the Colonial Office, dec. :
(1) That it is essential that the Department of the
Dominions be separated from that of the Crown Colonies, and
that each Department be placed under a separate Permanent
Under-Secretary.
(2) That in order to give due effect to modern Imperial
development it has now become advisable to change the title
of Secretary of State for the Colonies to that of * Secretary of
State for Imperial Affairs’.
(3) That the staff of the Secretariat be incorporated with
the Dominions Department under the new Under-Secretary,
and thatall questions relating to the self-governing Dominions
be referred to that Department ; the High Commissioners to
be informed of matters affecting the Dominions with a view
to their Governments expressing their opinion on the same.
{4) That the High Commissioners be invited to attend
meetings of the Committee of Defence when questions on
Naval or Military Imperial defence affecting the oversea
Dominions are under discussion.
(5) That the High Commissioners be invited to consult
with the Foreign Minister on matters of foreign industrial,
commercial, and social affairs in which the oversea Dominions
are interested, and inform their respective Governments.
(6) That the High Commissioners should become the sole
channel of communication between Imperial and Dominion
Governments, Governors-General and Governors on all
being given identical and simultaneous informaion,

4. Interchange of civil servants :
That it is in the interests of the Imperial Government, and
also of the Governments of the oversea Dominions, that an
interchange of selected officers of the respective Civil Services
 should take place from time to time, with a view to
the acquirement of better knowledge for both services with
tegard to questions that may arise affecting the respective
Governments.

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