Mr. R. Dobell (Canada):

Contrasted with the meeting held some four years ago, this gathering, really so harmonious and unanimous, shows at a glance what progress this question has made in Great Britain. I endorse very warmly all the last speaker has said. Avoid Royal Commissions and the Government. This question, if it is to be worked out at all, must he worked out by practical men in the Colonies and Great Britain. At the last meeting convened by the Dominion Board of Trade in Canada, an irresponsible and unofficial body, after three days' discussion, we could only arrive at one resolution, and that was to the effect that it was desirable to draw closer the political and trade relations between Great Britain and the Colonies, and that to secure the unity of the Empire some form of federation was the most desirable and practical means of furthering that end. I do not think we could adopt anything better than that. I am glad to see there is some hope of this question being put in a practical shape, especially after our Chairman and other distinguished men have taken a move in it. I can confirm what fell from the High Commissioner, that in Canada we would be one in favour of the movement. I think the simpler the resolution could be made the better, and I would suggest the one that I have just read.