IMPERIAL FEDERATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1314, 13 August 1886, Page 2

IMPERIAL FEDERATION

DEPUTATION TO LORD SALISBURY '

[EEUTER’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT ] London, August 11. A deputation of members of the Imperial Federation League waited to-day upon the Afarqula of Salisbury to urge that a Conference should be held, or a Royal Commhs'on, Including colonial delegates, appointed to suggest means for collective action in the defence of British ports in time of war, to promote «ntmerclal interests and postal and telegraphic comma dcation, to farther the maintenance of peace, and secure a close I un J 6n of the empire. Mr Jamas Service, in a speech on behalf of the deputation, alluded in bitter terms to the way in which the Imperial Government had in former yoars negleitiled colonial interests, but hoped this was -now changed If the Government was capable of negotiating with France for her withdrawal from the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, such step would bind Australia closer than ever to the Mother Oountiy. Lord Salisbury, in reply, stated he waa unable on his own authority to answer the request of (he deputation, but be would consult his colleagues on the ma-ter. He said he fuUy recognised the impotence ol the subject brought foiword ly the deputation, snd was Impressed by the rapid growth of the federation movement. He believed that it would be wisest to formulate a scheme, and that It was a m : stake to consider the movement unreal. Government would always keep a desire for federation before them. His Lordship went on to say he approved the views of Captain Colomb regarding Impend defences, Governmeht would confer thereon with a number of leading colonists. The remarks which bad been made Service regarding Hew Guinea' were outside the range of practical poll- : cr He conceded by praising the energy the cdonies had shown in matted of defence-