CHAP. ITI] THE CONFERENCE OF 1911 1493 
drew the proposal in fofo.! It is hardly likely that the other 
Dominions would have consented to the proposal, but of 
course the Union may decide to adopt the position which is 
already accepted by Newfoundland, under which it stands 
out altogether from the principle of preference. It is fair 
to admit that preference has never been very popular in 
South Africa, where it was adopted under the influence of 
the Transvaal before the grant of self-government. 
Of the other resolutions the only one of consequence was 
that (No. 5) referring to naturalization. In South Africa 
the matter was complicated by the objection of the Colonies 
to naturalize coloured persons, and South Africa would never 
be willing to come into a naturalization system which would 
secure for a person naturalized out of South Africa, even if 
a coloured person, the full rights of a natural-born subject. 
But it does not appear that the grant of such rights had 
sver been contemplated by the Imperial Government. 
Of the remaining resolutions, No. 2 asked for concerted 
action to promote better trade and postal communications, 
and to discourage shipping conferences and combines for the 
control of freight rates, a pressing South Africa question ;?2 
and No. 6 asked that the Imperial Exchequer should in cases 
of death duties and income tax make an allowance for sums 
fairly claimed for those purposes in the Colonies. 
$ 8. Tue DomINION PARLIAMENTS AND THE AGENDA 
The question of the Agenda for the Imperial Conference 
was discussed as early in New Zealand?® as September 23, 1910. 
Mr. Herries, a member of the Opposition, raised the question 
that the proposals to be brought before the Conference should 
be laid before the Legislatures of the several Dominions, so 
that the Legislatures might be able to express their opinion 
as to the attitude to be adopted by their representatives. 
The Prime Minister, or whoever represented the Dominion, 
was only a delegate to express the views of the people whom 
he represented. If matters were submitted no party spirit 
' Parl. Pap., Cd. 5513, p. 15. 
* The Postal Act of the Union Parliament (1911) forbids any mail 
contract to be given to a conference line, * Debates, cli. 827 seq.