Mr. T. D. Wanliss (Ballarat):

I think something practical should come out of this meeting, and that we should take a decided step. As an addition to the resolution, I would move:—"That this Conference is of opinion that, as a preliminary step towards page 51 the Federation of the British Empire, it is desirable in the meanwhile to recommend the Government of the United Kingdom to form a Colonial Council—to consist of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the High Commissioner for Canada, and the Agents-General for the several Colonies, with power to the various Colonies to appoint an additional number in proportion to one member to one and a half million of the population." (Cries of "Question") If such a Council were created, it would, in my opinion, be the beginning of something larger and better.

Mr. Waniss was proceeding to refer to the origin of the British Cabinet and of the Indian Council as precedents, when

Mr. F. Young, interposing, said:

I rise, Sir, to order. The statement may be very interesting, but it is, I venture to think, out of order to go into details at this meeting.