The Ashburaton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1887. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1513, 22 March 1887, Page 2

The Ashburaton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1887. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Colonists generally have so far been inclined to treat the proposed Imperial Conference as a matter of comparatively small interest, and have hitherto regarded everything appertaining thereto with almost as much nonchalance, and with us little real interest, as if it were something m the nature of a Parliamentary Union of rather a swell sort — m a word, they have regarded it as a matter of no practical concern to themselves, if not indeed partaking somewhat of the character of a farce. But, m so doing, we think they have formed lan entirely erroneous estimate, and seriously under- valued what there are many reasons for thinking will prove to be one of the most remarkable Councils ever gathered together m the history of the Empire. At Home it appears tc bulk very largely indeed m the public | eye, and it is significant of this that it has even been suggested that it should be opened by Her Majesty m person. We do not imagine for a moment that that suggestion will be carried out, but the mere fact that it has been made is plain proof of the importance attached to the Conference by public opinion at Home. Nay, there is the official statement of Earl Onslow, as Undersecretary for the Colonies, m the House of Lords, that, the "Government attach great importance to the approaching Imperial Conference," and there is evidence that outside opinion coincides with that oi Her Majesty's advisers m the fact the members have been given the entree of the Carlton Club, and are to be entertained at a banquet presided over by the Duke of Cambridge. That the attentions proposed are not merely the outcome of a generous hospitality towards the representatives of the Queen's colonial dominions, but are distinctly indicative of a deep interest m their approaching deliberations is shown by the fact that the press had made the most elaborate preparations for reporting the proceedings, while that the proceedings themselves will be of the first importance is indicated by the determination that, those preparations notwithstanding, the deliberations of the Conference shall be conducted m private, at anyrate for » time. It is clear that it will bi ?q

Imperial Council of the highest calibre and hence, doubtless, the desite on the part of Her Majesty's Government that all the dependencies of the Empire should be represented by their ablest men — a desire plainly indicated by the willingness of the Secretary for the Colonies to alter the date of the assembling of the Conference, so as t# permit of the attendance of the Premier of New Zealand. It is, we think, evident that the idea of a great federation of the whole Empire has taken firm root m the minds of English statesmen, and that the Conference is meant to be the flrct step * towards its realisation. Hence it is not at all improbable that the assembling of delegates from all the colonies to consult with Her Majesty's Advisers will prove to be one of the most important events m the history of the Empire — a point from which an entirely new departure may be taken. Holding this view, we cannot help thinking that the time will come, and that soon, when it will be a subject of wide and general regret that Sir Robert Stout was unable to go Home to represent New Zealand at this important juncture. Sir Dillon Bell and Sir William Fitzberbert will doubtless be useful members, but the broad grasp of public questions, the clear ideas and strong convictions of the Premier, backed by his splendid abilities as a debater and advocate, would have been of incalculable advantage. It is a thousand pities that New Zealand will not have the benefit of his presence on her behalf.