CHAP, Ii] IMPERIAL CO-OPERATION 1473
dential, and there was laid before Parliament only the speech
made by Mr. Chamberlain at the opening of the Conference,
certain papers submitted to the Conference, and the resolu-
tions at which the Conference arrived. The most important
of the resolutions were as follows : With regard to political
relations it was resolved—
That it would be to the advantage of the Empire if
Conferences were held, as far as practicable, at intervals not
sxceeding four years, at which questions of common interest
affecting the relations of the Mother Country and His
Majesty's Dominions over the seas could be discussed and
considered as between the Secretary of State for the Colonies
and the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Colonies.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies is requested to arrange
for such Conferences after communication with the Prime
Ministers of the respective Colonies. In case of any emer-
gency arising upon which a special Conference may have been
deemed necessary, the next ordinary Conference to be held
not sooner than three vears thereafter.
It was also resolved that, as far as might be consistent with
the confidential negotiation of treaties with foreign Powers,
the views of the Colonies affected should be obtained, in
order that they might be in a better position to give their
adhesion to such treaties.
With regard to naval defence. it was agreed by Australia
to increase its contribution to £200,000 a year in return for
the improvement of the squadron and the establishment of
a branch of the Royal Naval Reserve. The contribution of
New Zealand was increased to £40,000 for the same purpose,
while the Cape Colony agreed to give £50,000 a year and
Natal £35,000 a year towards the general maintenance of the
navy, while Newfoundland consented to contribute £3,000
a year and a capital sum of £1,800 for fitting up and preparing
a drill ship towards the maintenance of a branch of the
Royal Naval Reserve of not less than 600 men. It was also
agreed that the naval and military authorities should afford
greater facilities in the grants of commissions in the army
and cadetships in the navy to young colonials, and this was
accordingly done.
